The role of Shelf-AID technique as a method of containment for treatment of Perthes disease: preliminary results.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of the Shelf-AID technique as a method of containment in cases with Perthes disease. This clinical study included 21 hips in 20 patients with Perthes disease. They were followed up clinically and radiologically, with a mean follow-up was 18.7 ± 3.27 months. Hip arthrography was done for all cases to ensure that no hinge abduction was present. We combine shelf acetabuloplasty with soft tissue release (hip adductor and iliopsoas release) associated with percutaneous drilling. There was a statistically significant improvement in the Sharp acetabular index from 41.81 ± 1.72 to 35.67 ± 2.24 at final follow-up. There was also a statistically significant improvement in center edge angle from 27.76 ± 4.04 preoperatively to 51.48 ± 5.47 postoperatively. Acetabular coverage also improved from 76.33 ± 4.71% to 117.05 ± 7.98% at final follow-up. Functional improvement was assessed by the Harris hip score, which improved from 77.05 ± 3.31 preoperatively to 86.95 ± 3.46 at final follow-up (t = 16.367, P < 0.001). We recommend the use of the Shelf-AID technique as we described for containment in patients with Perthes disease with reducible subluxation.