Does early and aggressive management of significant extrusion of the femoral head affect the outcome of Perthes’ disease with the age of onset younger than 7 years?

BACKGROUND: Little literature exists regarding aggressive treatment of the extrusion in the early stage of the disease and the outcome at skeletal maturity. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the outcome of the disease with onset younger than 7 years, treated in the early stage of the disease, with aggressive management of significant extrusion (immediate containment with fixed abduction brace in children less than 5 years and varus derotation osteotomy in older children), and reached skeletal maturity. METHODS: All children with the age of onset younger than 7 years of disease during active Perthes disease were prospectively followed. Children with early stages of the disease (modified Elizabethtown classification) and reached skeletal maturity were included (68 children). The extrusion of the femur head was calculated by Reimer’s migration index on both sides. A migration difference 12 % or above was considered as “significant extrusion”. Children without significant extrusion were treated non-operatively; children with significant extrusion were treated with varus derotation osteotomy. The final radiological outcome was assessed by the Stulberg classification and sphericity deviation score (SDS). The independent “t” test and Chi-square test were done to compare the difference between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean age at the onset and the final follow-up was 5.7 years and 15.3 years. The frequency of significant extrusion was 57%. At the final follow-up, an excellent clinical outcome and radiological outcomes (in 88% hips) were noted. There was no significant difference in the Stulberg groups and SDS (sphericity deviation score) in both groups. CONCLUSION: The outcome of the children who had the age of onset of the disease less than 7 years was good with early and aggressive management of the extrusion. The reversal of extrusion is associated with a similar result of non-operative children in this age group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.