From 1977 to 1989, 35 Bombelli's valgus-extension osteotomies were performed for secondary osteoarthritis of the hip in 30 patients. All patients returned for personal examination, interview and X-ray assessment. The average follow-up period was 7.8 years (range, 1.2 to 12.8). The average of the patients was 43.2 years (range, 28 to 65). At the latest evaluation 83.3% of the patients were good or excellent on the subjective evaluation of JOA score. It would appear that age itself cannot be held as an absolute contraindication to osteotomy. Better results were obtained in the patients with the large capital drop and no osteoporosis.
