Chondrolysis of the hip after transfer of the greater trochanter

Transfer of the greater trochanter is a surgical technique that is used for overgrowth of the greater trochanter arising from disturbance of the growt h plate of the proximal femur. Few complications have been described, and t o our knowledge, necrosis of the cartilage has not been reported. Herein we describe four cases of chondrolysis in three patients who underwent this s urgical procedure. In our view, immobilization with plaster associated with the increased pressure produced by the descent of the gluteal attachment m ay have contributed to the development of chondrolysis.