Treatment of neonatal septic arthritis sequelae of hip: a case report

INTRODUCTION: The most serious complication of the septic arthritis of the hip in childhood and especially in newborns is the avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The aim of the study was evaluation of residual deformity after neonatal septic arthritis of the hip in a boy aged thirteen years. CASE PRESENTATION: A 13-year-old, white male, was operatively treated by intertrochanteric osteotomy of valgisation, anterotation and extension at age of twelve years because of leg length discrepancy, changes in the femoral neck, coxa vara, plana and breva. It was delay in diagnosis and failure to begin treatment promptly in the neonatal period. CONCLUSION: Valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy of the femur, moves the greater trochanter distally and laterally, tensioning the abductors muscles and improving their leverage.