title: Hip arthroscopy using a limited anterior exposure: an alternative approach for arthroscopic access.
abstract: Hip arthroscopy is a technically difficult procedure to perform. A limited anterior approach to the joint has made hip arthroscopy technically less difficult in our hands and has enabled us to treat a wide range of hip pathology. Five hip arthroscopies were performed using a modified 4-cm Smith-Petersen anterior approach to the hip exposing the joint capsule as manual traction is applied. The arthroscope is then easily introduced making visualization of the hip joint possible. The 5 hip arthroscopies resulted in either removal of loose bodies or debridement of an osteochondral fragment, synovitis, or cartilaginous debris. There were no complications postoperatively. We believe that hip arthroscopy through a limited anterior approach provides an easy and safe alternative method for arthroscopic access to the hip joint. Importantly, there is a decreased risk of neurovascular trauma and iatrogenic damage to the articular cartilage and acetabular labrum when introducing instruments into the hip joint.
authors.affiliation: Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0328, USA. sekiya@umich.edu
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sekiya
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Wojtys
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Loder
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Hensinger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome