Long-term results of spherical acetabular osteotomy

We have examined the effect of the Wagner spherical acetabular osteotomy on preserving the joint in 38 hips with a mean follow-up of 17 years. At the time of the initial operation, 55% of patients had clinical symptoms and 30 joints showed minimal or absent radiological signs of osteoarthritis. At f ollow-up, 54% of patients had a good functional result. The osteotomy improved the mean centre-edge angle from -3 degrees to +15 de grees, the mean anterior centre-edge angle to 23 degrees and the acetabular head index to 75%, The obliquity of the acetabular roof decreased from 28 degrees to 16 degrees, One patient improved, but 14 deteriorated with joint degeneration, Of these, one progressed because of postoperative deep-tissu e infection and five due to undercorrection. One patient needed total joint replacement after 14 years. At 17 years after operation, Wagner osteotomy had prevented progression of secondary arthritis in 63% of cases.