Staged surgical management of the sequelae of neonatal septic hip arthritis: a case report and review of the literature

A. Maxim, D. Vasilescu, A. Corbu, M. Valeanu, D. Cosma

Department of Orthopaedics and Paediatric Orthopaedics, and Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics; University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. mvaleanu@umfcluj.ro

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• Infectious Diseases
• Orthopedics

Total necrosis of the femoral head is a common sequelae after septic hip arthritis in infancy. Septic hip dislocation may develop, with severe functional consequences on the growing child: limping and limb length discrepancy. We present our staged surgical treatment of Choi’s type IV A sequelae of septic hip arthritis in a 2-year old boy. Open reduction, followed by various reconstructive procedures, were performed. After 8 years of follow-up, the child has a stable, mobile hip, with good functional outcomes. Close follow-up is mandatory to ensure a good long-term outcome. Our technique proved to be successful in the achievement of a functional hip by maintaining the remnants of the femoral head and creating the conditions to remodel them quasi-normal.

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