Periacetabular osteotomy and total hip arthroplasty in patients older than 40 years

The objective of this study was to investigate quality of life (QOL) in patients with dysplasia who were older than 40 years and who underwent Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). Quality of life was compared among 28 patients who underwent PAO and 33 patients of the same age who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA). Outcome tools included the Western Ontario McMasters Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index and the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Seventy-three percent of PAO patients achieved a "very good" (75-100) outcome or a "good" (65-75) QOL score in pain dimension and 64% in function dimension at 4 years after operation. WOMAC pain (89 vs 71, P <.005) and function (90 vs 74, P <.005) scores were significantly better among THA patients (THA vs PAO). Although THA resulted in better QOL, osteotomy still provided excellent QOL outcome in a high percentage of patients older than 40 years. However, given the results of this study, in patients older than 40 years, periacetabular osteotomy should only be done in highly selected cases.