Do Larger Acetabular Chondral Defects Portend Inferior Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Acetabular Microfracture? A Matched‐Controlled Study
Purpose To elucidate the effect, if any, of acetabular chondral defect size on surgical outcomes after arthroscopic microfracture was performed with concomitant treatment for labral tears and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome. Methods The study period was between February 2008 and November 2014. Data were collected on patients who underwent hip arthroscopy. The inclusion criteria were acetabular microfracture; concomitant treatment for labral tears and FAI syndrome; and preoperative modified Harris Hip Score, Nonarthritic Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score–Sports Specific Subscale, and visual analog scale. Exclusion criteria were Workers' Compensation, preoperative Tönnis grade >1, or previous ipsilateral hip surgeries or conditions. Patients were grouped based on smaller chondral defects (SCDs) or larger chondral defects (LCDs), then matched 1:1 by age at surgery ±10 years, sex, body mass index ±5, labral treatment, capsular treatment, acetabuloplasty, and femoroplasty. Outcomes, secondary arthroscopies, and conversions to total hip arthroplasty (THA) were documented. Results Of 131 eligible cases, 107 (81.7%) had minimum 2‐year follow‐up. Before matching, the conversion rate to THA was higher for LCDs (24.6%) than for SCDs (12.0%). Thirty‐five patients were matched for each group. Mean follow‐up time was 47.9 months (range, 24.0, 84.1) for the matched LCD group and 46.1 months (range, 24.0, 88.1) for the matched SCD group. Ligamentum teres debridement ( P = .03) was performed more frequently in the LCD group. No other differences were found regarding demographics, intraoperative findings, procedures, traction time, preoperative scores, or follow‐up scores. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in all scores. Rates of revision or conversion to THA were similar between groups. The relative risk for conversion to THA was 2.33 for patients with defects ≥300 mm 2 compared with patients with defects ≤250 mm 2 ( P = .13). Deep vein thrombosis occurred in 3 (5.3%) patients with LCDs. Conclusions Matched patients with either SCDs or LCDs undergoing arthroscopic acetabular microfracture with concomitant treatment for labral tears and FAI syndrome demonstrated similar improvements at minimum 2‐year follow‐up. Patients with chondral defects approaching 300 mm 2 or greater may have a higher propensity toward conversion to THA. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative therapeutic trial.
Is Hip Arthroscopy Effective in Patients With Combined Excessive Femoral Anteversion and Borderline Dysplasia? A Match-Controlled Study
Background: Appropriate patient selection is critical when hip arthroscopy is considered in the setting of borderline dysplasia (BD). It is presumable that excessive femoral anteversion (EFA) and BD may contraindicate arthroscopy. Hypothesis: Patients with combined EFA and BD (EFABD) demonstrate significantly inferior short-term outcomes after arthroscopic labral preservation and capsular closure when compared with a similar control group with normal lateral coverage and femoral anteversion. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed on patients undergoing hip arthroscopy between April 2010 and November 2014. The EFABD group’s inclusion criteria were BD (lateral center-edge angle, 18°-25°), labral tear, capsular closure, and femoral version ≥20°, as well as preoperative modified Harris Hip Score, Nonarthritic Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score–Sports Specific Subscale, and visual analog scale. Exclusion criteria were workers’ compensation, preoperative Tönnis grade >1, microfracture, abductor pathology, or previous ipsilateral hip surgery or conditions. Patients in the EFABD group were matched 1:2 to a similar control group with normal coverage and femoral anteversion by age at surgery ± 6 years, sex, body mass index ± 5, acetabular Outerbridge grade (0, 1 vs 2, 3, 4), and iliopsoas fractional lengthening. Results: Sixteen EFABD cases were eligible for inclusion, and 100% follow-up was obtained at ≥2 years postoperatively. Twelve EFABD cases were matched to 24 control cases. Mean femoral version was 22.4° in the EFABD group and 10.2° in the control group ( P = .01). Mean lateral center-edge angle was 22.1° in the EFABD group and 31.5° in the control group ( P < .0001). Acetabuloplasty was performed significantly more frequently in the control group ( P = .0006). No other significant differences were found regarding demographics, findings, procedures, or preoperative scores. At latest follow-up, the EFABD group demonstrated significantly lower mean modified Harris Hip Score (76.1 vs 85.9; P = .005), Nonarthritic Hip Score (74.8 vs 88.5; P < .0001), Hip Outcome Score–Sports Specific Subscale (58.3 vs 78.4; P = .02), and patient satisfaction (7.1 vs 8.3; P = .005). There were 4 secondary surgical procedures (33.3%) in the EFABD group and 1 (4.2%) in the control group ( P = .03). One patient in each group required arthroplasty. Conclusion: Patients treated with arthroscopic labral preservation and capsular closure in the setting of EFABD demonstrated significant improvements from presurgery to latest follow-up. However, their results are significantly inferior when compared with a matched-controlled group. Consideration of periacetabular osteotomy or femoral osteotomy may be warranted in the setting of EFABD to achieve optimal benefit.
Radiographic Risk Factors and Signs of Abductor Tears in the Hip
Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify radiographic risk factors (RRFs) and radiographic signs of abductor tendon tears. Methods Between April 2008 and October 2015, patients with intraoperative diagnosis of partial‐ or full‐thickness abductor tear noted at the time of open or endoscopic treatment were included in this study. Exclusion criteria included lack of preoperative standard supine pelvic radiograph, lack of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or abductor tear not present at the time of operative intervention. Patients were matched by age ±5 years, gender, and body mass index ±5 with patients with no abductor pathology by clinical exam and MRI. A standardized supine anterior‐posterior pelvis radiograph was performed on all patients. The radiographs were evaluated for RRF (pelvic width, body weight moment arm, abductor moment arm, abductor angle, pelvic height) and signs of abductor tendon pathology (greater trochanteric enthesophyte). Femoral version was measured on MRI when images were available. Statistical analysis was performed and included bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results There were 152 patients with abductor tears identified at the time of surgery out of 2,838 eligible patients matched with 125 patients without abductor tendon pathology. The study institution was unable to perform a 1:1 match because of the advanced age of the abductor tendon group, which led to a greater age in the abductor group ( n = 58) versus the control group ( n = 54; P = .01. In abductor group the average age was 58, and 137 of 152 (90%) patients were female; in the control group the average age was 54, with 111 of 125 (89%) patients being female. Abductor tear patients were treated with surgical repair. The RRFs found with bivariate analysis were an increased pelvic width (14.8 cm for abductor tears vs 14.3 cm for control; P < .001), body weight moment arm (11.1 cm vs 10.9 cm; P < .001), and abductor moment arm (7.8 cm vs 7.6 cm; P < .001); decreased femoral anteversion (7.6° vs 10.6°; P = .045); and enthesophyte presence (41% vs 3%; P < .001). Multivariate regression analysis of all variables showed that teardrop distance and enthesophyte presence were the 2 variables most predictive of abductor tears, and other variables did not significantly increase or decrease the likelihood of tear when these 2 variables were considered. The presence of an enthesophyte on the greater trochanter was notable for an odds ratio of 20.7 of having an abductor tear. Conclusions Patients with abductor tears have a wider pelvis, longer abductor moment arm, and longer body weight moment arm and have greater trochanteric enthesophyte as noted on nearly half of patients with an abductor tear. Presence of an enthesophyte was noted to have an odds ratio of 20.7 and a positive predictive value of 94% for having an abductor tendon tear. The 2 variables predictive of abductor tendon tear when controlling for all variables were enthesophyte presence and teardrop distance, with no other variables significantly increasing or decreasing the likelihood of tear when these 2 variables were considered. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Arthroscopic Treatment of Iliopsoas Snapping in Patients With Radiographic Acetabular Dysplasia Using Iliopsoas Fractional Lengthening and Capsular Plication
Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the greater than 2‐year patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) and patient satisfaction of patients who were treated with hip arthroscopy for snapping iliopsoas tendons that were painful with concomitant acetabular dysplasia and who underwent iliopsoas lengthening for symptomatic iliopsoas tendon snapping with concomitant capsular plication and treatment of hip impingement. Secondary measures included observation of the change in the Tönnis grade at greater than 2 years' follow‐up. Methods Between July 2009 and December 2011, data on patients with a lateral center‐edge angle (LCEA) of less than 25° (range, 19°‐24°) who underwent hip arthroscopy with central‐compartment iliopsoas fractional lengthening and capsular plication were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. Interportal capsular repair was performed using between 2 and 5 simple sutures. Patients also underwent procedures to treat hip impingement pathology. All patients had preoperative and minimum 2‐year postoperative PRO measures: modified Harris Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living subscale, Hip Outcome Score–Sports‐Specific subscale, and Non‐arthritic Hip Score. The visual analog scale score and patient satisfaction with surgery (from 0 to 10) were also collected. Radiographs were analyzed preoperatively and at latest follow‐up to assess progression of the Tönnis grade. Results We analyzed 32 patients who met the inclusion criteria (30 female and 2 male patients; mean age, 25 years). The mean LCEA and anterior center‐edge angle were 21.6° and 25.5°, respectively. Four patients required revision arthroscopy for labral retears. Among the 28 patients who did not undergo revision surgery, the modified Harris Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living subscale, Hip Outcome Score–Sports‐Specific subscale, and Non‐arthritic Hip Score improved from 68.7 to 83.5, from 64.9 to 86.6, from 71.6 to 86.7, and from 52.6 to 75.8, respectively ( P < .001). The visual analog scale score improved from 5.6 preoperatively to 1.9 at latest follow‐up ( P < .001). The mean patient satisfaction rating was 8.0. There was no radiographic progression of the Tönnis grade at final follow‐up. Conclusions This study showed that patients with an LCEA of less than 25° and associated painful iliopsoas snapping can be treated by addressing concomitant pathology and performing central‐compartment fractional lengthening of the iliopsoas tendon with concomitant capsular plication and have high satisfaction, improvement in PROs, and improved pain scores, without significant progression of osteoarthritis. Level of Evidence Level IV, case series.
The Correlation Between Arthroscopically Defined Acetabular Cartilage Defects and a Proposed Preoperative Delayed Gadolinium‐Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cartilage Index in Hips of Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome
Purpose To evaluate a delayed gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) index designed to predict focal acetabular articular cartilage damage in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Methods The inclusion criteria were patients who underwent dGEMRIC and hip arthroscopy between April 2010 and August 2015 for FAI syndrome. The exclusion criteria were previous hip conditions, a Tönnis grade greater than 1, and a delay between magnetic resonance imaging and surgery greater than 180 days. The cutoff value for full‐thickness chondral damage was set to 350 milliseconds. The coronal anterolateral (CAL) index was designed to evaluate focal articular anterolateral chondral defects. We calculated the binary classification test of the CAL index for full‐thickness chondral damage, with arthroscopy as the gold standard. We calculated the correlation between the CAL index and the arthroscopically defined acetabular labrum articular disruption (ALAD) and Outerbridge grades and tested for differences between no or mild focal chondral damage and moderate or severe focal chondral damage. We repeated this analysis on the sagittal superior index, a combination of the sagittal anterior and posterior indices. Results A total of 195 hips (183 patients) were reviewed. The CAL index showed a sensitivity of 55% (95% confidence interval [CI], 32%‐76%), specificity of 81% (95% CI, 74%‐86%), positive predictive value of 27% (95% CI, 18%‐37%), and negative predictive value of 93% (95% CI, 90%‐96%). The CAL index showed a significant difference between no or mild focal chondral damage and moderate or severe focal chondral damage per both ALAD and Outerbridge groups ( P < .0001). The CAL index was moderately inversely correlated with ALAD and Outerbridge grades (ρ = –0.403, P < .0001). The sagittal superior index was not significantly different between the groups and showed a weak correlation with focal defects. Conclusions The CAL index may play a role in ruling out full‐thickness articular cartilage defects in patients with FAI syndrome. In addition, it may help in differentiating between no or mild focal chondral damage and moderate or severe focal chondral damage. Level of Evidence Level III, case‐control study.
Clinical Outcomes and Return to Sport in Competitive Athletes Undergoing Arthroscopic Iliopsoas Fractional Lengthening Compared With a Matched Control Group Without Iliopsoas Fractional Lengthening
Purpose To compare the minimum 2‐year outcomes and return to sports in competitive athletes after arthroscopic iliopsoas fractional lengthening (IFL) and treatment for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) to competitive athletes treated for FAI who did not undergo IFL. Methods Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed between November 2009 and April 2014. Included patients were high school, collegiate, or professional athletes who underwent arthroscopic IFL, treatment for FAI, and preoperative modified Harris Hip Score, Non‐Arthritic Athletic Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score–Sports Specific Subscale, and visual analog scale. Exclusion criteria were patients younger than 16 years, Tönnis grade >1, microfracture, abductor pathology, and previous hip conditions. A subgroup of athletes were matched to athletes who did not undergo IFL by age ± 5 years, sex, and body mass index ± 5. Results There were 75 athletes eligible for inclusion, 60 (80.0%) of whom had minimum 2‐year follow‐up. All patient‐reported outcome (PRO) scores demonstrated significant improvements at latest follow‐up ( P < .001). Mean satisfaction was 7.9. No patients converted to arthroplasty. Painful snapping was resolved in 55 athletes (91.7%). Nine athletes (15.0%) had nonpainful snapping at follow‐up. Thirty‐nine (65%) returned to their sport. Forty (66.7%) maintained or improved their competitive abilities. There was one case (1.6%) of temporary postoperative numbness. There were no complaints of weakness in hip flexion. Forty‐one IFL athletes were matched to 41 controls. No differences were detected in demographics, follow‐up time, intraoperative findings, procedures, mean magnitudes of improvement, or return to sports. Conclusions In competitive athletes, IFL during hip arthroscopy is safe and demonstrates favorable improvements in PROs and VAS, high satisfaction, and high rate of symptom resolution at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Most patients were able to return to sports and maintain or improve their competitive levels. These results were similar to a control group of athletes not requiring IFL. Level of Evidence Level III, case‐control study.
Clinical Outcomes of Hip Arthroscopic Surgery in Patients With Femoral Retroversion: A Matched Study to Patients With Normal Femoral Anteversion
Background: Femoral retroversion has been noted as a possible risk factor for poor clinical results after hip arthroscopic surgery. Purpose: To compare the outcomes of the arthroscopic treatment of hip abnormalities in patients with femoral retroversion to patients with femoral anteversion between 10° and 20°. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Between November 2011 and September 2013, 790 hip arthroscopic procedures were performed at a single institution. Of these, 59 hips (7.5%) were located in patients with femoral version ≤0°, calculated using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. These patients were pair matched, based on body mass index ±5 kg/m 2 , age ±5 years, and Tönnis grade, with 59 patients with femoral anteversion between 10° and 20°. Exclusion criteria included Perthes disease, inflammatory arthritis, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, previous hip surgery, abductor repair, lateral center-edge angle <20°, Tönnis grade >1, and acetabular profunda or protrusio. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were recorded preoperatively, at 3 months postoperatively, and annually thereafter. The PROs utilized were the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), and Hip Outcome Score–Sports-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS). The visual analog scale (VAS) was collected to assess the patients’ pain; patient satisfaction scores (0-10) were also collected. Radiographs were collected at the above time intervals as well. Results: Two patients from the control group and 1 patient from the retroverted group required total hip arthroplasty at a mean 19.5 and 26.3 months, respectively. Both groups demonstrated significant improvement from their preoperative state in all PRO and VAS scores ( P < .001). No differences in preoperative, postoperative, or change in PRO and VAS scores between the groups were noted. Conclusion: Patients with femoral retroversion reported similar outcomes compared to patients with normal femoral version when undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery. Both groups had similar improvements from the preoperative state.
Outcomes of Hip Arthroscopy in Competitive Athletes
Purpose To evaluate the minimum 2‐year postoperative clinical outcomes and the rate of return to sports in athletes who underwent capsular plication for the treatment of ligamentous laxity and/or borderline dysplasia during hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement and labral pathology. Methods Since 2008, data were prospectively collected on patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement and/or labral tears. Inclusion criteria were as follows: athlete at the high school, collegiate, or professional levels preoperatively, underwent capsular plication, and preoperatively recorded patient‐reported outcome scores including modified Harris hip score (mHHS), nonarthritic athletic hip score (NAHS), hip outcome score—sports‐specific subscale (HOS‐SSS), and visual analog scale (VAS). Exclusion criteria were as follows: <16 years old, preoperative Tönnis grade >1, and previous hip conditions. Sports activity and competitive levels were collected at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Results Fifty‐one hips (49 patients) met the inclusion criteria, and 41 hips (39 patients) had minimum 2‐year follow‐up (80.4% follow‐up). Mean mHHS increased from 67.1 preoperatively to 83.5 ( P < .0001). Mean NAHS increased from 66.8 to 88.8 ( P < .0001). Mean HOS‐SSS improved from 46.8 to 80.1 ( P < .0001). Mean VAS decreased from 5.1 to 1.7 ( P < .0001). Thirty‐five (85.4%) hip arthroscopies allowed the patients to return to sports at follow‐up. Thirty‐four (82.9%) hip arthroscopies allowed the patients to maintain their competitive physical abilities at follow‐up. Conclusions Patient‐reported outcomes and VAS in athletes significantly improved at a minimum of 2 years after capsular plication as a part of hip arthroscopy addressing varying pathologies. In addition, most patients returned to sports at similar or higher competitive levels. These results suggest that capsular plication is a favorable treatment option in athletes with ligamentous laxity and/or borderline dysplasia. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.