OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for Crowe type IV developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and analyze perioperative complications.

METHODSFrom March 2000 to March 2010, 19 patients (23 hips, of them, 4 patients with bilateral hips) with Crowe type IV DDH underwent THA. There were 5 males and 14 females, with average age of 61.3 years (ranged, 41 to 72 years). All hips were treated with small acetabular components combined with medial protrusion technique in acetabular reconstruction, as well as subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy in femur. Joint function of hips were evaluated according to Harris scoring.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up with an average of 4.2 years (ranged, 1 to 8 years). Postoperative X-ray films showed all acetabular prosthesis were in true acetabulum. No loosening and nonunion were found in all patients. Harris scoring improved from preoperative 34.0 +/- 6.9 to postoperative 85.0 +/- 7.5. Complications occurred in 11 cases in the patients, including femoral split fracture in 3 cases, nerve injury in 3 cases, delayed union in 2 cases, dislocation in 3 cases.

CONCLUSIONTotal hip arthroplasty using small acetabular component, medial protrusion, femoral subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy technique for the Crowe type IV DDH can effectively restore hip function and leg length. But incidence of complications is high. The long-term follow-up is necessary for further study.