The purpose of this study was to define the acetabular changes associated with coxa vara and determine how these acetabuli
differ from those of a normal hip. Charts and radiographs of 33 patients with coxa vara with a mean age of 6 years (range,
2–15 years) were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis was developmental coxa vara in 21 patients and congenital femoral
deficiency in 12. Radiographic measurements, including acetabular index, sourcil slope, center edge angle, migration index,
and medial joint space, were compared with those of 29 hips in the control group. The inclination of the acetabulum or acetabular
slope (as measured by the acetabular index and sourcil slope) was significantly increased in the hips with coxa vara as compared
with those in the control group. Both parameters have a statistically significant inverse correlation with the degree of varus,
ie, the greater the varus of the proximal femur, the greater the upsloping of the acetabulum. Joint subluxation, as measured
by the center edge angle, migration index, and medial joint space, showed little difference from that of control subjects.
Level of Evidence: Level III, diagnostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest,
patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.
Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation, that all investigations
were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent for participation in the study
was obtained.