The results of twenty Van Nes rotational osteotomies for unilateral
proximal femoral focal deficiency and congenital short femur were analyzed
after follow-ups of two to eight years. Assessed on the basis of prosthetic
function, the results were good in ten, fair in six, and poor in four.
Twelve patients required a rerotation procedure, six of them twice, because
of postoperative derotation. Appropriate leg-length discrepancy to place
the ankle, converted to the knee, at the right level, as well as normal
ankle and foot motion and muscle power, are prerequisites to the procedure,
which should be deferred until the child is about twelve years old to avoid
prolonged hospitalization for rerotation and gait training.