Iliofemoral fusion, as performed for proximal femoral focal deficiency,
is designed so that the knee, acting at the level of the triradiate
cartilage, will act as the hip. This procedure was indicated in four of our
patients to promote fitting of a prosthesis. The results after follow-up of
more than five years are reported. Two of the patients also had a Van Nes
rotationplasty and two had a Syme amputation. The Syme amputation produced
better results. Distal epiphyseodesis of the ipsilateral femur also was
performed in three of the four patients to minimize the anterior prominence
of the knee. Two patients required a closing wedge osteotomy of the distal
part of the femur to improve the alignment. All four patients walked well
as functional above-the-knee amputees.