Surgical treatments of atraumatic avascular necrosis of the shoulder.

Humeral head atraumatic avascular necrosis is a rare diagnosis. It concerns young patients with a high functional demand. The treatments are mostly surgical. The radiographic classification of Cruess assesses the severity of the humeral head avascular necrosis and guides surgical indications. This chapter reports a review of the literature based on meta-analyses and clinical series. Surgical treatments may be conservative or prosthetic. Conservative treatments include core decompression, bone grafting and arthroscopic debridement. Prosthetic replacements are performed by resurfacing, hemiarthroplasty or total arthroplasty. For low-grade asvascular necrosis, core decompression may be functionally effective and doesn't impair later surgical procedures. For high grades, prosthetic replacements achieve good functional outcomes. Hemiarthroplasty should be preferred if the glenoid cartilage is intact, with low rates of wear complications and better long-term outcome than shoulder arthroplasty.

Reform of the 3rd cycle in surgery training.

The main objectives of the reform of the 3rd cycle of medical studies in France that was instituted in 2017 after eight years of preparation, are to train future specialists in a consistent and equitable fashion and to replace the previous time-based qualification by training based on the progressive acquisition of skills. This reform was an opportunity for the 13 different French surgical specialty Colleges involved to share reflections on what a surgeon actually was and to define training in surgical sub-specialties. The current reform is well adapted to these specifications and has fostered training models that are consistent with each other. This article discusses the historical construction of this reform, what will change in the training of future surgeons, as well as some points that warrant caution. The third cycle reform has also triggered a reform of the second cycle, which is expected to come into force for the 2020 academic year. Its objective will be to eliminate the guillotine effect created by the National Classifying Examinations and to allow students to better understand and test their desire and skills for a given specialty. It will be up to these same surgical Colleges to determine how to do this for the sub-specialties of the "surgery" discipline.

Evaluation of arthroscopic skills with a virtual reality simulator in first-year orthopaedic residents.

PURPOSE: This study of residents' initial performance was performed to determine which factors predisposed residents for success in demonstrating the best arthroscopic skills. METHODS: Each orthopaedic first-year resident was officially invited to take part in a one hour evaluation on a VirtaMed™ ArthroS™ simulator. On the FAST module, the Periscoping exercise was chosen to test for use of angled optics. The Shoulder Module was chosen to test their ability to extract intra-articular foreign bodies using the Catch the Stars exercise. The variables such as time, camera alignment, camera path length, and grasper path length were analysed. Residents completed a questionnaire prior to the evaluation. Their results were analysed according to gender, orientation assessment, and surgical history. RESULTS: A total of 34 women and 82 men were included in the study. In the Periscoping exercise, a significant difference between women and men in the time variables was noticed (275 ± 82 and 195 ± 71; p < 0.00001) and camera path length (207 ± 60 and 170 ± 66; p = 0.00094). For the Catch the Stars exercise, there was a significant difference between women and men for the time values (249 ± 114 and 201 ± 99; p = 0.01246) and grasper path length (290 ± 130 and 229 ± 108; p = 0.00493). After multivariate analysis, no influence of self-assessed spatial perception (p=0.1), number of arthroscopic procedures (p=0.39), or laparoscopic procedures (p=0.43) to which they had already assisted was found. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a significant difference in skills regarding spatial recognition and triangulation related to gender at the beginning of specialization training. It also demonstrates that male medical students are more attracted by surgical departments during their medical training.

A new approach for endoscopic neurolysis of the suprascapular nerve at the spinoglenoid notch: A preliminary cadaver study.

The suprascapular nerve (SSN) can become compressed at its 2 scapular attachments: the suprascapular and the spinoglenoid notch. The objective of this study was to describe a new arthroscopic approach for SSN neurolysis at the spinoglenoid notch. Ten cadaver shoulders were used. Two were dissected to simulate the "classical" arthroscopic approach and to help in the creation of a new "direct medial retrospinal" approach. Eight other shoulders were used to validate this new approach, with control of the whole juxta-glenoid course of the SSN as criterion of success. The retrospinal posterior approach allowed the entire juxta-glenoid segment of the SSN to be explored in 6 cases out of 8. One exploration was incomplete, another not feasible. SSN neurolysis at the spinoglenoid notch was feasible in cadavers on a retrospinal approach.

Low prevalence of osteoporosis treatment in patients with recurrent major osteoporotic fracture.

The majority of patients do not receive anti-osteoporotic treatment following a major osteoporotic fracture, despite the guidelines and the availability of effective anti-osteoporotic treatments. The fight against factors limiting the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis should become a priority to improve secondary prevention after an initial osteoporotic fracture. PURPOSE: Despite the availability of effective anti-osteoporotic treatments, osteoporosis management is currently insufficient. The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of anti-osteoporotic treatments introduced after an initial prior major osteoporotic fracture during hospitalization for recurring fractures. METHODS: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, bicentric study that included all patients aged over 50 years who were hospitalized or seen in consultation for major osteoporotic fracture. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight out of two hundred four (62.7%) patients had a past history of major osteoporotic fracture and therefore had an indication of treatment based on guidelines. Among these patients, only 43/128 (33.5%) had received anti-osteoporotic treatment as secondary prevention after the initial fracture. The main causes of non-prescription identified were the attending physicians' ignorance of the indication of treatment (n = 30; 35.3%), ignorance of the fracture (n = 17; 20%), and comorbidities (n = 12; 14.1%). The failure to introduce treatment was associated with the presence of comorbidities with a Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥6 (OR = 0.34 [0.16-0.73], p < 0.05), dementia (OR = 0.23 [0.08-0.72], p < 0.05), and past history of proximal femur fracture (OR = 0.20 [0.04-0.91], p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Two thirds of patients with a past history of major osteoporotic fracture presenting with a new fracture were not treated. The main reason for lack of treatment seems to stem from the incorrect assessment of the patient's fracture risk. Although major osteoporotic fracture leads to an increased risk of mortality and requires treatment, the significance of patient comorbidities was an independent risk factor leading to non-treatment.

Clavicle fractures.

Management of clavicle fracture has progressed over the last decade, notably with wider use of surgery in midshaft fracture, and new techniques for lateral fracture. Midshaft clavicle fracture treatment needs to be personalized and adapted to the patient's activity level. Whichever the segment involved, treatment for non-displaced fracture is functional; elbow-to-body sling immobilization seems the best tolerated. Apart from regular surgical indications (shoulder impaction, floating shoulder, open fracture or fracture with neurovascular complications), surgery is recommended in case of bone shortening exceeding 1.5cm in young active patients. The technique needs to take account of clavicle anatomy: notably periosteal vascularization in midshaft fracture and acromioclavicular ligament integrity and location in case of lateral fracture. Plate osteosynthesis should take account of bone diameter and 3D curvature; intramedullary fixation should take account of intramedullary canal morphology. Although iatrogenic vascular complications are rare, vessel relations and variants need to be known, especially in the medial end of the clavicle and midshaft. Lateral segment fractures are a particular entity. Large-scale randomized studies are needed to assess indications and results for the various possible internal fixation techniques: isolated or associated to ligament reconstruction, rigid or flexible, and open or arthroscopic.

Anatomical and morphological study of the subcoracoacromial canal.

INTRODUCTION: Many clinical anatomy studies have looked into how variations in the acromion, coracoacromial ligament (CAL) and subacromial space are associated with rotator cuff injuries. However, no study up to now had defined anatomically the fibro-osseous canal that confines the supraspinatus muscle in the subcoracoacromial space. Through an anatomical study of the scapula, we defined the bone-related parameters of this canal and its anatomical variations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study on dry bones involved 71 scapulas. With standardised photographs in two orthogonal views (superior and lateral), the surface area of the subcoracoacromial canal and the anatomical parameters making up this canal were defined and measured using image analysis software. The primary analysis evaluated the anatomical parameters of the canal as a function of three canal surface area groups; the secondary analysis looked into how variations in the canal surface area were related to the type of acromion according to the Bigliani classification. RESULTS: Relative to glenoid width, the group with a large canal surface area (L) had significantly less lateral overhang of the acromion than the group with a small canal surface area (S), with ratios of 0.41±0.23 and 0.58±0.3, respectively (P=0.04). The mean length of the CAL was 46±8mm in the L group and 39±9mm in the S group (P=0.003). The coracoacromial arch angle was 38°±11° in the L group and 34°±9° in the S group; the canal surface area was smaller in specimens with a smaller coracoacromial arch angle (P=0.20). CONCLUSION: Apart from acromial morphology, there could be innate anatomical features of the scapula that predispose people to extrinsic lesions to the supraspinatus tendon (lateral overhang, coracoacromial arch angle) by reducing the subcoracoacromial canal's surface area. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Anatomical descriptive study.

The human acromion viewed from an evolutionary perspective.

The high prevalence of rotator cuff tendinopathy in modern humans may be partly related to the shape acquired by the scapula as species changed throughout evolution. Here, we compared the anatomic features of the scapula across members of the Hominoid group. The results support the hypothesis that the scapula of Homo sapiens sapiens exhibits distinctive anatomic characteristics compared to that of other Hominoids. We studied 89 scapulae from five species. For each scapula, we measured eight parameters and determined six index. We then compared the results across species. We identified two distinctive characteristics of the lateral aspect of the human scapula, namely, a lateral orientation of the glenoid cavity and a narrow coraco-acromial arch. Similar to the gorilla acromion, the human one is steeply sloped and, above all, larger and squarer than the acromion of other Hominoids. These features may explain, in part at least, the pathogenesis of rotator cuff tendinopathy in modern man.

Peri-articular suprascapular neuropathy.

Suprascapular nerve entrapment was first described in 1959 by Kopell and Thompson. Although rare, this condition is among the causes of poorly explained shoulder pain in patients with manifestations suggesting a rotator-cuff tear but normal tendons by imaging studies. Suprascapular nerve entrapment may cause 2% of all cases of chronic shoulder pain. Among the many reported causes of suprascapular nerve entrapment, the most common are para-labral cysts, usually in the spinoglenoid notch, and microtrauma in elite athletes. The potential relevance of concomitant rotator-cuff tears remains debated. Less common causes include tumours, scapular fractures, and direct trauma involving traction. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to avoid the development of irreversible muscle wasting. Endoscopic surgery to treat the various causes of suprascapular nerve compression has superseded open nerve release.

How long should arthroscopic clavicular resection be in acromioclavicular arthropathy? A radiological-clinical study (with computed tomography) of 18 cases at a mean 4 years' follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic clavicular resection is a common procedure, but few studies have analyzed predictive factors for outcome. HYPOTHESES: 1) Computed tomography (CT) of clavicular resection is reproductible; 2) Functional outcome correlates with resection length; 3) Other factors also influence outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients operated on between 2005 and 2010 were called back to establish functional scores (Constant, Simple Shoulder Test [SST], satisfaction) and undergo low-dose bilateral comparative computed tomography (CT) centered on the acromioclavicular joints. The assessment criteria were resection edge parallelism and resection length, measured using OsiriX software. Radiological and clinical data were correlated. RESULTS: 18 out of 21 patients (85%: 3 female, 15 male) were assessed. Mean age at surgery was 49 years (range, 40-62 yrs); mean follow-up was 4.2 years (1.6-7.2 yrs). Mean Constant score rose from 57.7 (25-85) to 70.2 (30-96); mean postoperative SST was 9.3 (3-12). 11 patients had very good and 4 poor results. CT resection length was reproducible, with intraclass, intra- and interobserver correlation coefficients >95%. There was no significant correlation between articular resection length on CT and functional scores (P=0.2). Functional scores were negatively influenced by an occupational pathologic context (P<0.01) and by associated tendinopathy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Low-dose CT enabled reproducible analysis of clavicular resection. The hypothesized correlation between resection length and functional result was not confirmed. Work accidents and occupational disease emerged as risk factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Single-center retrospective analytic cohort study. Level 4, guideline grade C.

[Middle-term results of a Silastic prosthesis used as a temporary spacer for unreconstructable radial head fractures]. / Résultats à moyen terme d'un implant en Silastic utilisé comme espaceur transitoire dans les fractures non synthésables de la tête radiale.

This study reports the use of silicone prosthesis as a temporary spacer for comminuted fracture of the radial head. Twelve men and eight women with a mean age of 42 years (17-54) were operated on in an average of five days following a comminuted fracture of the radial head. Silicone radial head prosthesis was implanted with a mean duration of eight months (3-18) between implantation and removal. At a mean period of five years after initial surgery, the mean DASH score was 40 (24-82), the mean MEPS score was 86 (60-100) giving ten excellent results, five good and five means. At the last clinical follow-up, the average flexion was 127° (90-140) and 152° (50-180) for pronation-supination. Regarding our results, early removal of the Silastic implant prevented possible synovitis and failure of silicone implant. The stability of the elbow was obtained in all cases with association of a medial collateral ligament repair in case of instability. The use of a silicone radial head implant as a temporary spacer in case of radial head fracture type Mason III or IV seems to be a possible alternative to metal prostheses, whose implantation technique is demanding and sometimes not recommendable in young patients.

[Reconstruction of the thumb for an epithelioid sarcoma using a kite flap. A case report]. / Utilisation du lambeau cerf-volant pour le traitement d'un sarcome épithélioïde du pouce. À propos d'un cas.

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare lesion usually involving extremities. We report the case of a patient presenting with an epithelioid sarcoma of the dorsal aspect of the thumb. Surgical treatment consisted in a wide resection, arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb and skin coverage with a kite flap. This case report illustrates a rare diagnosis potentially encountered by hand surgeons and the possible use of a kite flap in a non-traumatic context.

Is it worth fixing proximal humeral fractures at increased vascular risk?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fixation of proximal humeral fractures by anterograde nailing, in terms of fracture reduction, bone healing; osteonecrosis; functional consequences of osteonecrosis and malunion. DESIGN: Prospective, consecutive, multicenter based. SETTING: Academic Trauma Centers; approval was received from the ethics committee of the institutions involved in the study. METHODS: Fifty-one patients were enrolled prospectively, with 31 3-part and 20 4-part displaced fractures (head displacement greater than 45°, tuberosity-head gap greater than 10mm, diaphyseal gap greater than 10mm). A Telegraph™ nail (FH Orthopedics, Heimsbrunn, France) was the fixation device used, introduced through a superolateral transdeltoid approach under fluoroscopic guidance. The assessment included Simple Shoulder Test, absolute Constant score, X-rays every 3 months and CT-scan at final evaluation. Twelve patients died and one was lost to follow-up. Immediate complications included secondary displacement in four patients. RESULTS: There were no infections, no deltoid muscle or axillary nerve damage, and all the fractures united. After a mean follow-up of 24.1 months, malunion was observed in 29% of the remaining 38 patients and osteonecrosis in 32%. Both complications were more frequent and extensive in patients with 4-part fractures. The osteonecrosis area influenced the Constant score, which was 55.8 points when the area was less than 30%, 50.6 points between 30 and 50%, and 38 points when larger than 50%. Head malunion affected the Simple Shoulder Test and the Constant score. CONCLUSION: Nailing may thus be recommended for 3-part fractures, because osteonecrosis is less frequent, more focused, and better tolerated in this sub-group. In contrast, antegrade nailing was not more beneficial than other internal fixation techniques for preventing osteonecrosis or head malunion in patients with 4-part fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV: prospective study.

Total shoulder arthroplasty - arthroplasty for glenohumeral arthropathies: results and complications after a minimum follow-up of 8 years according to the type of arthroplasty and etiology.

INTRODUCTION: Arthroplasty for glenohumeral arthropathies have specific complications and the final results are sometimes more dependent upon the type of shoulder arthroplasty than the initial etiology. The aim of our study was to evaluate the rate of complications and the functional improvement with different types of shoulder arthroplasties after a minimum follow-up of 8 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective study of 198 shoulders including 85 primary osteoarthritis of the shoulder, 76 cuff tear arthropathies, 19 avascular necrosis and 18 rheumatoid arthritis. Arthroplasties included 104 anatomic total shoulder arthroplasties (TSA), 77 reverse arthroplasties and 17 hemiarthroplasties. Ten patients had their arthroplasty revised, and 134 patients with TSA were able to be present at the final follow-up or provide information on their case. Function was evaluated by the Constant-Murley score and loosening by standard radiographs. RESULTS: In the group with primary osteoarthritis of the shoulder, there were eight complications (11%) including six (8.3%) requiring implant revision. In the group of rotator cuff arthropathies, there were nine (14.7%) complications including four (6.5%) requiring implant revision. In the group with rheumatoid arthritis, there was one complication, and no surgical revision was necessary. There were no complications in the group with avascular necrosis. Glenoid migration occurred in 28.5% of anatomic TSA, and 3.4% of reverse arthroplasties. This difference was significant (P<0.001). The Constant-Murley score was significantly improved in all etiologies. CONCLUSIONS: Glenohumeral arthropathies can be successfully treated by arthroplasty. Anatomic TSA was shown to be associated with a high risk of glenoid loosening at radiographic follow-up, which makes us hesitate to use the cemented polyethylene implant, especially in young patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV - Retrospective study.

Clinical assessment of external rotation for the diagnosis of anterior shoulder hyperlaxity.

The aim of this study was to evaluate two methods of clinical assessment for external rotation of the shoulder to optimise the diagnosis of hyperlaxity in patients being selected for surgery for stabilisation of chronic anterior instability. External rotation was evaluated in 70 healthy student volunteers by two examiners (intertester study) using two methods of assessment at 15-day intervals (intratester study). The first method used was the protocol described for the Instability Severity Index Score (ISIS). In this case, the subject was evaluated in the sitting position, bilaterally with passive range of motion movements. The shoulder was considered hyperlax if ER1 was greater than 85°. With the second, so-called "elbow on the table" (EOT) method, the subject was evaluated in the decubitus dorsal position, unilaterally with passive range of motion. The subject was considered to be hyperlax if ER1 was greater than 90°. Kappa values for intra- and intertester agreement with the ISIS method were average, while they were satisfactory with the intraclass coefficient (ICC). Kappa values for inter- and intratester agreement with the EOT method were average and good, respectively. This tendency was confirmed by the ICC which went from good to excellent for the two examiners in both series of measurements using the EOT method, showing better reproducibility with this method. Our study confirms that the most reproducible method for assessing external rotation is obtained by unilateral assessment of the patient in the decubitus dorsal position, with passive range of motion. An ER1 of 90° is the necessary threshold for hyperlaxity because of elbow retropulsion with this method, which provides immediate and visual evaluation and eliminates the necessity of goniometry.

Can we improve the indication for Bankart arthroscopic repair? A preliminary clinical study using the ISIS score.

The objectives of this study on arthroscopic treatment of chronic anterior shoulder instability were the collection of the current practices for this indication, their development as reported in the literature, and the analysis of preliminary results on a multicenter prospective series of Bankart arthroscopic procedures undertaken using a common technique on patients selected based on the Instability Severity Index Score (ISIS). This procedure predominates in the English-speaking world, whereas the Latarjet protocol is preferred in France. The choice between the two seems to be cultural since neither technique could be demonstrated to be superior in an analysis of 171 responses to an Internet questionnaire in this study. The literature reports disappointing results in the Bankart arthroscopic procedure and recent articles have researched the predictive factors for its failure. Eleven centers prospectively included 125 patients from 1 December 2007 to 30 November 2008. The inclusion criteria were recurrence of anterior instability and an ISIS less than or equal to four points out of 10. All the selected patients underwent capsuloligamentous reinsertion with a common minimal technique of at least three anchors and four sutures with the same postoperative protocol. At a mean follow-up of 18 months, four patients (3.2%) had experienced recurrence. For the 84 patients reexamined at 1 year, the Walch-Duplay and Rowe scores were, respectively, 88.4 and 87.8 points out of 100. Subjectively, 88.1% of the patients declared they were satisfied and would undergo the intervention again. This study confirmed the use of the ISIS as a consultation tool. Only continuation of the study with a minimum follow-up of 3 years will allow us to validate the lower limit of the ISIS below which this technique could be proposed provided that it respects the technical prerequisite of at least four capsuloligamentous sutures.

Can we improve radiological analysis of osseous lesions in chronic anterior shoulder instability?

Osseous lesions of the glenoid cavity and humeral head are predictive of recurrence after Bankart arthroscopic procedures. The objective of this study was to analyze, for each glenoid and humeral defect plain x-ray criteria of the Instability Severity Index Score (ISIS), two aspects: inter- and intraobserver reliability of their qualitative and quantitative assessment and correlations between positive criteria and their quantitative measurement. Thirty-one medical files were retained for evaluation of the glenoid and 26 for humeral notch assessment. The yes or no response for the ISIS criterion was completed by its quantitative measurement using the Griffiths and Sugaya CT methods for the glenoid and the P/R index calculation on plain x-rays with internal rotation for the Hill-Sachs lesion. Three observers provided two consecutive readings for each criterion. The analysis of the glenoid radiological criterion of the ISIS seems sufficiently reproducible for daily practice. When the evaluation is positive, bone loss is greater than 15%, without a maximum value established. In this study, the analysis of the ISIS humeral notch criterion was not reproducible. It can be improved using the P/R index and should be completed by CT imaging.

Interest of complementary inferior glenohumeral ligament fixation in capsulo-labral repair for shoulder instability: A biomechanical study.

Arthroscopic repair of Bankart lesions is part of the arsenal available to the shoulder surgeon to manage chronic anterior instability of the shoulder. Despite improvements in technique, rates of recurrence remain high. Some factors relate to the patients and their lesions, others to technique.The hypothesis that insufficient repair may be the cause of failure in Bankart arthroscopy was investigated in an anatomic and biomechanical study. Bankart lesions were made on 12 cadaver shoulders and repaired using two suture techniques. The aim was to investigate whether there was any biomechanical interest in reinforcing the labrum and capsule suture by a complementary inferior gleno-humeral ligament (IGHL) suture to double the labral repair. No significant difference in overall resistance was found between the two techniques. Failure generally started from the superior suture, and the present findings suggest that special attention should be paid to superior reinsertion. In the present model, complementary IGHL fixation did not alter the biomechanics of repair. Failure of repair can be traced to the superior suture.

Is MRI useful to assess labral reduction following acute anterior shoulder dislocation?

INTRODUCTION: Better knowledge of the anatomical lesions following primary anterior dislocation of the shoulder could help to resolve the issue of the recommended position of immobilization. The aim of this study was to describe such early lesions and to evaluate labral reducibility in both external and internal rotation of the arm. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen shoulders were investigated by MRI without intra-articular injection. The 15 patients (14 men and one woman) had a mean age of 28 years (range: 17-42 years). Labral lesions were classified on a system based on Gleyze and Habermeyer's endoscopic assessment and reducibility was assessed on Itoi's criteria. RESULTS: Constant hemarthrosis allowed an arthrogram type effect. The Hill-Sachs lesion was small in five cases, medium in eight cases and large in two. There were seven labral lesions of type I, seven of type II and one of type III. External rotation (mean: 30.6 degrees; range: 15 degrees-65 degrees), reduced the labrum in six cases (40%). DISCUSSION: The present study failed to confirm the constant reduction of the labrum reported by Itoi, perhaps because external rotation was less than that obtained in his study (m=52 degrees; range: 35 degrees-81 degrees). Reduction was partly due to posterior migration of the hemarthrosis obtained by external rotation. CONCLUSION: MRI assessment of labral reducibility after primary anterior shoulder dislocation may be considered for patients at high risk of recurrence, in order to decide the ideal position of immobilization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. Retrospective diagnostic study.

Update to femoroacetabular impingement arthroscopic management.

INTRODUCTION: Arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is recommended since it is a minimally invasive procedure allowing full access to the hip joint. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic treatment can alleviate FAI without use of a perineal support. GOALS OF THE STUDY: To describe an early experience of hip arthroscopy in the treatment of FAI using two types of hip distraction without perineal support; to assess morbidity of FAI release under arthroscopic control and its early clinical and radiological outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the first 32 cases, the procedure used an invasive distractor and started with the central compartment. In the last six cases, it started with the peripheral compartment using a dedicated traction table with a contralateral buttock support. Inclusion criteria were: positive impingement test and radiological evidence of FAI. Thirty-eight consecutive patients with mean age 36 years (range 24-64) underwent arthroscopic treatment for FAI. Clinical outcome used WOMAC and Postel Merle d'Aubigné (PMA) scores. Radiological development of osteoarthritis (OA) was graded according to Tönnis score. RESULTS: At mean final follow-up of 1.3 years (range 0.5-3), there were no complications of either type of traction technique used. Mean WOMAC score increased from 55 to 75 points and PMA from 14.6 to 16.7 points. The subjective overall satisfaction rate was 79%. Radiological OA changes appeared in two hips, were unchanged in 33, and deteriorated in three. DISCUSSION: Invasive distraction device has been effective but appeared complex and costly. The procedure is now performed without it and begins at the peripheral compartment by the capsulotomy, which allows secondary distraction using a contralateral buttock. Preoperative OA seems to be a negative prognostic factor for clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic treatment of FAI is a safe technique which can be achieved without perineal complications. Limited anterior-superior capsulectomy and cephalic bone resection represent the first operative step, allowing acetabular trimming, labral reattachment and FAI relief. It is effective in terms of early clinical results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV: retrospective study.