Surgical hip dislocation versus hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement: clinical and morphological short-term results.
BACKGROUND
Surgical hip dislocation (SHD) is an accepted standard to treat femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). However, arthroscopic techniques have gained widespread popularity and comparable results are reported. The purpose of this prospective comparative study was to test the hypothesis that, when compared to SHD, hip arthroscopy (HA) results in faster recovery, better short-term outcome, and equivalent morphological corrections.


METHODS
38 patients presenting with clinically and morphologically verified isolated FAI were allocated to either HA or SHD. Morphological evaluation consisted of pre- and postoperative X-rays, and arthro-MRI. Demographic data, sport activities, hospital stay, complications, and the time off work were recorded. The subjective hip value, WOMAC, HHS, and hip abductor strength were measured up to 1 year.


RESULTS
Shorter hospital stay and time off work, less pain at 3 months and 1 year, higher subjective hip values at 6 weeks and 3 months, and better WOMAC at 3 months were seen after HA. The HHS and the hip abductor strengths were higher in the HA group. However, morphological corrections at the head-neck-junction achieved by HA showed some overcorrection when compared to SHD. Labral refixation was performed less frequent in the HA group.


CONCLUSIONS
When compared to SHD, HA results in faster recovery and better short-term outcome. However, some overcorrection of the cam deformity and limited frequency of labrum refixation with HA in this study may have a negative impact on long-term outcome.
Department of Orthopaedics, University of Zurich, Balgrist, Forchstr. 340, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland. patrick.zingg@balgrist.ch
Patrick O
PO
Zingg
Erika J
EJ
Ulbrich
Tobias C
TC
Buehler
Fabian
F
Kalberer
Vaughan R
VR
Poutawera
Claudio
C
Dora
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D057925:Femoracetabular Impingement / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult