We performed rotational acetabular osteotomy (RAO) in 9 middle aged patients. All subjects were women with advanced osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and congruity of the hip improved in abduction. The age at surgery ranged from 47 to 58 years, with a mean of 50.6 years and the follow-up period averaged 4 years and 8 months. We compared CE angle and JOA hip score before and after surgery.
All patients improved both in CE angle and JOA score. The mean CE angle improved from -1.7 degrees to 40.2 degrees. The mean JOA score improved from 66 to 90.7 points. Two of three bilateral patients showed progression of the degenerative changes in their contralateral hip after surgery. In one remaining patient, the contralateral hip required, total hip arthroplasty.
The indications for RAO in middle aged patients with advanced degenerative arthritis of the hip have been controversial. Our findings suggest that satisfactory results can be obtained when hip congruity improves in abduction. In bilateral cases, early surgery of the contralateral hip may prevent progression of OA of the contralateral hip.
