Classification of bone healing after intertrochanteric osteotomies. Consequences for the surgical procedure and postoperative rehabilitation.


Published online: Mar 27 1995

J Schmidt, D Kumm, and S Naughton.

Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie, Universität zu Köln, Germany.

Abstract

Intertrochanteric osteotomies produce a rate of 1 to 7% delayed union and pseudarthrosis, mainly as a result of the quality of the surgical procedure employed. In this retrospective and prospective study we have divided the models of bone healing after intertrochanteric osteotomy into 4 groups based on the postoperative x rays, and have taken into account only the factors of sclerosis, radiolucency and fragment contact in the osteotomy plane. This grouping enables us to evaluate the quality of the surgical procedure and to predict the postoperative course at an early stage, thus facilitating timely modification of the postoperative rehabilitation.