Relationship between offset angle alpha and hip chondral injury in femoroacetabular impingement.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the size of cam lesions and the presence of cartilage damage, labral damage, or changes in range of motion in the hips with signs and symptoms of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).


METHODS
Cross-table lateral radiographs were available for 102 consecutive patients presenting with signs and symptoms of FAI. Radiographs with excessive external rotation, dysplasia, severe arthritis, avascular necrosis, or Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome were excluded, leaving 82 patients available for analysis (47 men, 35 women; average age, 25 yr [range, 12 to 55 yr]). Offset angle alpha was measured from the films with a digital goniometer. Patients subsequently underwent hip arthroscopy and the surgical findings and hip range of motion were prospectively recorded.


RESULTS
Higher offset angle alpha was associated with the presence of acetabular rim chondral defects (P = .044) and full-thickness delamination of the acetabular cartilage (P = .034). Patients with detachment of the base of the labrum had a higher offset angle alpha (P = .016). Higher offset angle alpha was related to male sex (P = .001) and decreased range of motion (P < .05), but not to age.


CONCLUSIONS
Cam-type FAI, as measured by an increased offset angle alpha, was correlated with increased chondral damage, labral injury, and decreased range of motion.
Cedar Valley Medical Associates, Waterloo, Iowa, USA.
Todd L
TL
Johnston
Mara L
ML
Schenker
Karen K
KK
Briggs
Marc J
MJ
Philippon
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D001182:Arthroscopy; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005270:Femur Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D025981:Hip Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D015203:Reproducibility of Results