Results of Proximal Femoral Osteotomies Following Trauma

Abstract

Corrective osteotomies offer an effective means of managing problem cases following the operative and conservative treatment of femoral neck fractures, including nonunions and malunions [4–7]. While the frontal-plane valgus osteotomy, used by Pauwels to change shear forces into compressive forces, will promote the healing of virtually any nonunion [4], other options are available for the treatment of posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the hip and malunited fractures [1,7] (Fig. 1). In such cases it is usually necessary to combine the valgus correction with a flexion, extension or rotation osteotomy. Accurate preoperative planning is the key to a successful outcome [1,3,7].