Background: Patients undergoing periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) for symptomatic developmental dysplasia of the hip are usually young and active with high functional demands. Those who participate in sports seek surgical therapy to resume or maintain sports activities. There is little evidence regarding the postoperative level of activity and the extent to which sports activity changes after PAO both qualitatively and quantitatively. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the change in activity level as measured using the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score and the changes in qualitative and quantitative sports activity. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of 123 hips in 111 patients who underwent PAO for developmental dysplasia of the hip between January 2015 and June 2017. UCLA activity score, International Hip Outcome Tool 12, and Subjective Hip Value, as well as practiced sports, frequency and duration of sports activity, and time to return to sports, were assessed. Eventual changes in practiced sports and reasons for those changes were recorded. Results: Of the participating patients, 85% were female and 15% were male. The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 27.7 ± 7.3 years. Mean follow-up was 63 ± 10 months. UCLA score (5.08 ± 2.44 vs 6.95 ± 1.74; P < .001), International Hip Outcome Tool 12 (41.4 ± 22.2 vs 72.6 ± 22.9; P < .001), and Subjective Hip Value (42.8 ± 24.3 vs 80.4 ± 17.8; P < .001) increased significantly from pre- to postoperatively. Significantly more patients participated in low-impact sports postoperatively (31.7% vs 52%; P = .001). Participation in high-impact sports decreased (42.3% vs 36.6%; P = .361). The overall sports activity rate increased significantly (78.8% vs 90.8%; P = .008). Quantitatively, sports frequency in times per week ( P < .001) as well as length of exercise per time ( P = .007) increased significantly. A total of 52 patients (42%) changed sports activities postoperatively. Of these, 35 (28.4%) reported having stopped previously practiced sports after surgery, while 17 (13.8%) reported having started new sports. Reasons for starting and stopping certain sports varied and included hip- and non–hip related ones. In only 2 cases was physician’s advice given as a reason for changing the sport. Conclusion: Patients can improve their sports activity both qualitatively and quantitatively after PAO. However, a relevant proportion of patients adjusts their sports activities for a variety of hip-related and non–hip related reasons.

Background: The optimal surgical approach in patients with borderline hip dysplasia (BHD) remains controversial. Both hip arthroscopy and periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) are commonly employed in this patient population. Those who participate in sports want to resume and maintain sports activities after surgery, and the ability to do so plays an important role in the choice of a treatment method. To our knowledge, no previous study has assessed return-to-sports rates and activity levels in patients with BHD after PAO. Purpose: To assess return-to-sports rates and postoperative activity levels as measured by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), activity scale as well as patient-reported outcome measures. Also to assess changes in sports activity both qualitatively and quantitatively as well as underlying reasons for these changes. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 55 hips in 52 patients with BHD who underwent PAO between January 2015 and June 2017. Return-to-sports rates, UCLA activity scores, International Hip Outcome Tool–12 scores, Subjective Hip Value scores, Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score subscores, sports practiced, frequency and duration of sports activity, and postoperative changes as well as underlying reasons were recorded. Results: The mean follow-up was 62.8 ± 9.0 months. The return-to-sports rate among preoperatively active patients was 92.5%. Most patients resumed sports activity after 6 months (50%) or after 3 to 6 months (37.5%). The UCLA activity score improved significantly (from 5.2 ± 2.4 to 7.0 ± 1.8; P < .001). The International Hip Outcome Tool-12, Subjective Hip Value, and Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score scores also improved significantly (all, P < .001). Changes in sports activity occurred in 34.5% of cases after PAO. Significantly more patients engaged in low-impact sports postoperatively. Participation in high-impact sports did not decrease significantly. Reasons for changes were both hip related and non–hip related. Quantitatively, patients were able to significantly increase both the frequency ( P = .007) and duration ( P = .007) of sports activity. Conclusion: The return-to-sports rate in patients with BHD after PAO was high at over 92%. Most patients returned to sports after a period of 6 months or 3 to 6 months. Overall, activity levels and hip function improved after PAO. A number of patients adjusted their sports activity after PAO. Although more patients engaged in low-impact sports, participation in high-impact sports was maintained postoperatively. The results of this study may help both patients and orthopaedic surgeons in deciding on the best surgical procedure in the setting of BHD.

Background: An increasing number of elderly patients are becoming candidates for elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). Conflicting results exist with regard to the safety of THA in nonagenarians. The aims of this study were to evaluate postoperative mortality and morbidity after THA in nonagenarians and underlying risk factors. We hypothesized that nonagenarians undergoing elective THA would show higher morbidity than younger patients and higher mortality than nonagenarians in the general population. Methods: This was an observational cohort study using data from the German Arthroplasty Registry (Endoprothesenregister Deutschland [EPRD]). Of 323,129 THAs, 263,967 (including 1,859 performed on nonagenarians) were eligible. The mean follow-up (and standard deviation) was 1,070 ± 641 days (range, 0 to 3,060 days). The exclusion criteria were age of <60 years at admission and nonelective THAs or hemiarthroplasties. The cohort was divided into 4 age groups: (1) 60 to 69 years, (2) 70 to 79 years, (3) 80 to 89 years, and (4) ≥90 years. Comorbidities representing independent risk factors for postoperative complications and mortality were identified via a logistic regression model. Mortality rates were compared with those from the general population with data from the Federal Statistical Office. The end points of interest were postoperative major complications, minor complications, and mortality. Results: Among the greatest risk factors for major and minor complications and mortality were congestive heart failure, pulmonary circulation disorders, insulin-dependent diabetes, renal failure, coagulopathy, and fluid and electrolyte disorders. Compared with younger groups, the risks of major and minor complications and mortality were significantly higher in nonagenarians. Mortality increased when major complications occurred. After 1 year, the survival rate in patients without a major complication was 94.4% compared with 79.8% in patients with a major complication. The mortality rates of nonagenarians in the study population were lower than those in the corresponding age group of the general population. The 1-year mortality rates at 90 years of age were 10.5% for men and 6.4% for women within the study group compared with 18.5% for men and 14.7% for women among the general population. Conclusions: Comorbidities favor the occurrence of complications after elective THA in nonagenarians and thus increase postoperative morbidity. In the case of complications, mortality is also increased. The fact that mortality is still lower than within the general population shows that this aspect can be controlled by careful patient selection and adequate preparation. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Background: Patients undergoing periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) may experience significant postoperative pain due to the extensive approach and multiple osteotomies. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block on reducing opioid consumption and improving clinical outcome in PAO patients. Patients and Methods: We conducted a two-group randomized-controlled trial in 42 consecutive patients undergoing a PAO for symptomatic developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The study group received an ultrasound-guided TAP block with 20 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine prior to surgery. The control group did not receive a TAP block. All patients received a multimodal analgesia with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (etoricoxib and metamizole) and an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with piritramide (1.5 mg bolus, 10 min lockout-time). The primary endpoint was opioid consumption within 48 h after surgery. Secondary endpoints were pain scores, assessment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), measurement of the quality of recovery using patient-reported outcome measure and length of hospital stay. Forty-one patients (n = 21 TAP block group, n = 20 control group) completed the study, per protocol. One patient was lost to follow-up. Thirty-three were women (88.5%) and eight men (19.5%). The mean age at the time of surgery was 28 years (18–43, SD ± 7.4). All TAP blocks were performed by an experienced senior anaesthesiologist and all operations were performed by a single, high volume surgeon. Results: The opioid consumption in the TAP block group was significantly lower compared to the control group at 6 (3 mg ± 2.8 vs. 10.8 mg ± 5.6, p < 0.0001), 24 (18.4 ± 16.2 vs. 30.8 ± 16.4, p = 0.01) and 48 h (29.1 mg ± 30.7 vs. 54.7 ± 29.6, p = 0.04) after surgery. Pain scores were significantly reduced in the TAP block group at 24 h after surgery. There were no other differences in secondary outcome parameters. No perioperative complication occurred in either group. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided TAP block significantly reduces the perioperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing PAO.

Background: Conflicting evidence exists regarding outcomes in middle-aged patients undergoing periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) for symptomatic developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Aims: To compare patient reported outcomes (PROMs) of middle-aged PAO patients with younger patient groups. Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of PAO patients between 01/2015 and 06/2017 at a single orthopedic university center with a primary diagnosis of symptomatic DDH. The cohort was divided into four age groups and compared: < 20, 20–30, 30–40 and > 40 years. Joint function was assessed using iHOT-12, mHHS and SHV. Activity level was assessed using UCLA Activity score. Patient satisfaction and pain were assessed on the numerical rating scale 0–10. Conversion rates to THA were assessed. Results: Out of 202 PAOs, 120 cases with complete data were included. Mean follow-up was 63 months (range 47–81 months). Eighteen patients were < 20 years old, 54 were 20–30 years, 37 were 30–40 years, 11 patients were older than 40. No significant differences were observed for preoperative or postoperative iHOT-12 (p = 0.898; p = 0.087), mHHS (p = 0.878; p = 0.103), SHV (p = 0.602; p = 0.352) or UCLA (p = 0.539; p = 0.978) between groups. Improvement deltas were also not significantly different for all PROMs. Postoperative patient satisfaction was similar between groups (p = 0.783). Conclusion: Patients with symptomatic DDH may benefit from PAO even at middle age with similar outcomes and pre- to postoperative improvements as younger age groups. Indication should be based on biological age and preoperative joint condition rather than age.

The optimal fixation technique in periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) remains controversial. This study aims to assess the in vivo stability of fixation in PAO with and without the use of a transverse screw. We performed a retrospective study to analyse consecutive patients who underwent PAO between January 2015 and June 2017. Eighty four patients (93 hips) of which 79% were female were included. In 54 cases, no transverse screw was used (group 1) compared with 39 with transverse screw (group 2). Mean age was 26.5 (15–44) in group 1 and 28.4 (16–45) in group 2. Radiological parameters relevant for DDH including lateral center edge angle of Wiberg (LCEA), Tönnis angle (TA) and femoral head extrusion index (FHEI) were measured preoperatively, post-operatively and at 3-months follow-up. All patients were mobilized with the same mobilization regimen. Post-operative LCEA, TA and FHEI were improved significantly in both groups for all parameters (P ≤ 0.0001). Mean initial correction for LCEA (P = 0.753), TA (P = 0.083) and FHEI (P = 0.616) showed no significant difference between the groups. Final correction at follow-up of the respective parameters was also not significantly different between both groups for LCEA (P = 0.447), TA (P = 0.100) and FHEI (P = 0.270). There was no significant difference between initial and final correction for the respective parameters. Accordingly, only minimal loss of correction was measured, showing no difference between the two groups for LCEA (P = 0.227), TA (P = 0.153) and FHEI (P = 0.324). Transverse screw fixation is not associated with increased fragment stability in PAO. This can be taken into account by surgeons when deciding on the fixation technique of the acetabular fragment in PAO.