LATE SEQUELAE IN SEPTIC ARTHRITIS OF THE HIP IN INFANTS

Septic arthritis of the hip joint is a condition that can often lead t o partial or complete destruction of the hip joint, causing severe fun ctional disability. Reports in the literature indicate that optimal ma nagement of these patients is unclear. Our report presents a follow-up of 37 patients (44 hips) who had septic arthritis during infancy or c hildhood. In general, patients at follow-up had a poor anatomical appe arance radiographically, although pain and activity restriction were m inimal. Results suggest that surgical efforts should be directed prima rily at correcting limb length discrepancy and malalignment of the mec hanical axes. In general, patients with a hip deformity of type I-III had a good functional outcome, whereas patients with hip deformity typ e IV with an instable hip joint had an unsatisfactory outcome. Any ind ication for hip replacement in these patients should be based not only on radiological findings, but also on the functional situation.