Functional outcomes and postoperative complications after ilizarov hip reconstruction for abnormal hip joints.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate functional outcomes and postoperative complications following Ilizarov hip reconstruction in patients with abnormal hip joints. Study Design: Prospective Observational study. Setting: Department of Orthopaedics and Spine Centre, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore. Period: December 2024 and May 2025. Methods: Ilizarov hip reconstruction was done on forty-one patients between the ages of 15 and 40 years who had chronic, unstable, or abnormal hip joints. The main outcome of the functional activities was measured with the help of the Modified Harris Hip Score (HHS) preoperative and at final follow-up 6 months. The complications that occurred after an operation were documented and assessed descriptively. Statistical processing was done in SPSS, and the p-value of 0.05 was taken to be significant. Results: The mean age of patients was 26.4 ± 6.1 years, with 61% males. The mean Modified HHS improved significantly from 48.7 ± 9.6 preoperatively to 82.3 ± 7.4 postoperatively (p < 0.001). Postoperatively, 78% of patients achieved good to excellent functional outcomes. Complications occurred in 4 patients (9.8%), including pin-tract infection (4.9%), knee stiffness (2.4%), and delayed union (2.4%), all managed conservatively. No major complications such as deep infection, neurovascular injury, or mechanical failure were observed. Conclusion: Ilizarov hip reconstructs are effective on adolescents and young adults with abnormal hip joints and offer a high statistical improvement in terms of short-term functional results and a low complication rate. It is a safe and effective joint-preserving salvage intervention capable of restoring functionality, improving gait, and postponing the onset of total hip arthroplasty in this difficult patient population.