A Clinical Observation of Girdlestone Operation

We clinically reviewed and analysed 19 patients treated as Girdlestone operation with or without Batchelor osteotomy at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Busan National University Hospital from April 1979 to June 1981. The results were as follows: 1. The underlying disease were infected pinning and nailing of 8 cases, pyogenic hip of 4 cases, failed total hip arthroplasty of 4 cases, tuberculous hip of 2 cases and femur neck fracture of 1 case. 2. Satisfactory results were obtained in 7 or 8 cases treated as secondary Girdlestone operation over 50 years of age. 3. Postoperative shortening ogleg length was 3.2cm in average (from 1.7cm to 5.0cm), which was average 2.5cm at 12 weeks traction and average 3.7cm at 6 weeks traction. 4. Postoperative average range of motion was; flexion to 80 degrees and abduction to 30 degrees. There was statistical significancy in activity of daily living of hip function at 12 weeks traction in postoperative score. 5. 6 cases out of 11 cases without pain in postoperative condition showed severe bony contacts and ir- regularities of proximal portion of the operated femur radiologically.