Adhesions After Hip Arthroscopy Are Associated With Revision But Show Poorly Defined Criteria for Diagnosis and Operative Management: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the current body of evidence surrounding the diagnosis, management, and clinical outcomes of adhesions that developed after hip arthroscopy (HA). METHODS: A systematic search of the MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) databases was designed and conducted in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. Eligible studies included patients with confirmed adhesions after HA that reported one or more of the following: (1) diagnostic procedures and criteria used; (2) indications for and details surrounding surgical management; and (3) clinical outcomes after the operative management of adhesions (e.g., patient-reported outcome measures). RESULTS: Nineteen studies involving a total of 4,145 patients (4,211 hips; 38% female sex) were included in this review. The quality of evidence was found to be fair for both comparative studies (mean, 17; range, 13-21) and noncomparative studies (mean, 10; range, 5-12) according to the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS) instrument, with the level of evidence ranging from IIB to IV. Adhesions were often diagnosed intraoperatively at the time of revision surgery (10 of 19 studies, 53%), with only 3 studies specifying the criteria used to adjudicate adhesions. The most common indication for operative management (i.e., release or lysis of adhesions) was persistent pain (9 of 19, 47%), but this was often grossly stated for revision HA rather than being specific to adhesions. Patient-reported outcome measures were the most reported postoperative outcomes (9 of 19, 47%) and generally showed significant improvement from preoperative assessment across the short-term follow-up period (range, 24.5-38.1 months). There was a paucity of objective measures of clinical improvement (3 of 19, 16%) and of mid- and long-term follow-up (i.e., 5-7 years and ≥10 years, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the growing body of evidence suggesting that adhesions are highly contributory to revision HA, there is ambiguity in the diagnostic approach and indications for operative management of adhesions. Additionally, although the operative management of adhesions after HA has shown satisfactory clinical outcomes in the short term, there is a paucity of research elucidating the mid- to long-term outcomes, as well as minimal use of objective assessment of clinical improvement (e.g., biomechanics). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level II to IV studies.

Protocol and validity testing of femoroacetabular posterior translation with dynamic hip ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: To describe femoroacetabular posterior translation (FAPT) using dynamic hip ultrasonography (DHUS), and to determine the inter- and intra-rater reliability of hip ultrasound measurements of FAPT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design was a feasibility study of 13 healthy young adults (26 hips) using test-retest analysis. The data was collected prospectively over a 2-week time period. Three DHUS measurements (posterior neutral (PN), flexion, adduction, and internal rotation (PFADIR), and stand and load (PStand) were measured by four independent raters (2 senior who divided the cohort, 1 intermediate, 1 junior) at two time points for bilateral hips of each participant. Reliability was assessed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each rater and across all raters. RESULTS: A total of 468 US scans were completed. The mean age of the cohort was 25.7 years (SD 5.1 years) and 54% were female. The inter-rater reliability was excellent for PFADIR (ICC 0.85 95% CI 0.76-0.91), good for PN (ICC 0.69 95% CI 0.5-0.81), and good for PStand (ICC 0.72 95% CI 0.55-0.83). The intra-rater reliability for all raters was good for PFADIR (ICC 0.60 95% CI 0.44-0.73), fair for PN (ICC 0.42 95% CI 0.21-0.59), and fair for PStand (ICC 0.42 95% CI 0.22-0.59). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to present a protocol using dynamic ultrasonography to measure FAPT. DHUS measure for FAPT was shown to be reliable across raters with varying levels of ultrasound experience.

Evaluation and Management of the Athlete's Hip.

Hip and groin pain is common in athletes, and there are many possible underlying pathologies. It is important to describe athletic hip pathology in the context of sport-specific physiologic loads and biomechanical demands. Three distinct types of athletes with this pathology are collision athletes, hypermobility athletes, and endurance athletes. Although there is considerable overlap between sports, athletes with hip pain should always be evaluated in the context of their sport. Understanding the effect of sport-specific biomechanical demands may help with both diagnosis and treatment of athletic hip pathology; however, each athlete's injury should be analyzed on an individual basis.

Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing Analysis Identifies Use of Consumables and Operating Room Time as Factors Associated With Increased Cost of Outpatient Primary Hip Arthroscopic Labral Repair.

PURPOSE: To use time-driven, activity-based costing (TDABC) methodology to 1) investigate drivers of cost variation and 2) elucidate preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with increased cost of outpatient arthroscopic hip labral repair. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data from January 2020 to October 2021 was performed. Patients undergoing primary hip arthroscopy for labral repair in the outpatient setting were included. Indexed TDABC data from avant-garde health's analytics platform were used to represent cost-of-care breakdowns. Patients in the top decile of cost were defined as high cost, and cost category variance was determined as a percent increase between high and low cost. Analyses tested for associations between preoperative and perioperative factors with total cost. Surgical procedures performed concomitantly to labral repair were included in subanalyses. RESULTS: Data from 151 patients were analyzed. Consumables made up 61% of total outpatient cost with surgical personnel costs (30%) being the second largest category. The average total cost was 19% higher for patients in the top decile of cost compared to the remainder of the cohort. Factors contributing to this difference were implants (36% higher), surgical personnel (20% higher), and operating room (OR) consumables (15% higher). Multivariate linear regression modeling indicated that OR time (Standardized ß = 0.504; P < .001) and anchor quantity (standardized ß = 0.443; P < .001) were significant predictors of increased cost. Femoroplasty (Unstandardized ß = 15.274; P = .010), chondroplasty (Unstandardized ß = 8.860; P = .009), excision of os acetabuli (unstandardized ß = 13.619; P = .041), and trochanteric bursectomy (Unstandardized ß = 21.176; P = .009) were also all independently associated with increasing operating time. CONCLUSION: TDABC analysis showed that OR consumables and implants were the largest drivers of cost for the procedure. OR time was also shown to be a significant predictor of increased costs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, economic analysis.

Core Muscle Injury: Evaluation and Treatment in the Athlete.

BACKGROUND: Pain in the groin region, where the abdominal musculature attaches to the pubis, is referred to as a "sports hernia,""athletic pubalgia," or "core muscle injury" and has become a topic of increased interest due to its challenging diagnosis. Identifying the cause of chronic groin pain is complicated because significant symptom overlap exists between disorders of the proximal thigh musculature, intra-articular hip pathology, and disorders of the abdominal musculature. PURPOSE: To present a comprehensive review of the pathoanatomic features, history and physical examination, and imaging modalities used to make the diagnosis of core muscle injury. STUDY DESIGN: Narrative and literature review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed. Studies involving the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletes with core muscle injury were identified. In addition, the senior author's extensive experience with the care of professional, collegiate, and elite athletes was analyzed and compared with established treatment algorithms. RESULTS: The differential diagnosis of groin pain in the athlete should include core muscle injury with or without adductor longus tendinopathy. Current scientific evidence is lacking in this field; however, consensus regarding terms and treatment algorithms was facilitated with the publication of the Doha agreement in 2015. Pain localized proximal to the inguinal ligament, especially in conjunction with tenderness at the rectus abdominis insertion, is highly suggestive of core muscle injury. Concomitant adductor longus tendinopathy is not uncommon in these athletes and should be investigated. The diagnosis of core muscle injury is a clinical one, although dynamic ultrasonography is becoming increasingly used as a diagnostic modality. Magnetic resonance imaging is not always diagnostic and may underestimate the true extent of a core muscle injury. Functional rehabilitation programs can often return athletes to the same level of play. If an athlete has been diagnosed with athletic pubalgia and has persistent symptoms despite 12 weeks of nonoperative treatment, a surgical repair using mesh and a relaxing myotomy of the conjoined tendon should be considered. The most common intraoperative finding is a deficient posterior wall of the inguinal canal with injury to the distal rectus abdominis. Return to play after surgery for an isolated sports hernia is typically allowed at 4 weeks; however, if an adductor release is performed as well, return to play occurs at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: Core muscle injury is a diagnosis that requires a high level of clinical suspicion and should be considered in any athlete with pain in the inguinal region. Concurrent adductor pathology is not uncommon.

Bilateral hip arthroscopy for treating femoroacetabular impingement: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a hip disorder which can often present bilaterally. The purpose of this systematic review was to explore the current practices for bilateral hip arthroscopy in treating FAI as they relate to outcomes and complications. METHODS: This review has been conducted according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). The electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched from data inception to October 18th, 2020. The Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS) was used to assess study quality. Data are presented descriptively. RESULTS: Overall, 19 studies were identified, comprising 957 patients (48.6% male) with a mean age of 27.9 ± 7.1 years and a mean follow-up of 31.7 ± 20.8 months. The majority of patients were treated with a staged bilateral hip arthroscopy (78.5%) with a mean duration between surgeries of 7.1 ± 4.0 months. Significant preoperative-to-postoperative improvements for clinical outcomes such as pain, hip function, and health-related daily living as well as radiographic outcomes were reported in six studies for staged procedures (p < 0.05) and three studies for simultaneous procedures (p < 0.02). Significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes (e.g., HOS-ADL, Pain, HOS-SS, mHHS, and NAHS) were found in favor of those undergoing a shorter delay between surgeries in three studies (i.e., < 3, 10 or 17 months) (p < 0.05) compared to those who had delayed surgeries (i.e., > 3, 10, or 17 months). The overall complication rate was 10.1% (97/957). CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral surgery for FAI yields improved outcomes postoperatively and complication rates similar to unilateral surgery. The overall complication rate was 10.1% with the most common complication being revision surgery. Staged bilateral surgery is more commonly performed than simultaneous surgery. Clinicians should consider preoperative imaging, clinical history, and patient values when deciding between staged and simultaneous procedures for bilateral FAI surgery. Future studies are required to determine the optimal indications for simultaneous versus staged procedures, as well as the ideal timing between surgeries for the latter. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Open and arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement: a review of current concepts.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common femoral and/or acetabular abnormality that can cause progressive damage to the hip and osteoarthritis. FAI can be the result of femoral head/neck overgrowth, acetabular overgrowth or both femoral and acetabular abnormalities, resulting in a loss of native hip biomechanics and pain upon hip flexion and rotation. Radiographic evidence can include loss of sphericity of the femoral neck (cam impingement) and/or acetabular retroversion with focal or global overcoverage (pincer impingement). Operative intervention is indicated in symptomatic patients after failed conservative management with radiographic evidence of impingement and minimal arthritic changes of the hip, with the goal of restoring normal hip biomechanics and reducing pain. This is done by correcting the femoral head-neck relationship to the acetabulum through femoral and/or acetabular osteoplasty and treatment of concomitant hip pathology. In pincer impingement cases with small lunate surfaces, reverse periacetabular osteotomy is indicated as acetabular osteoplasty can decrease an already small articular surface. While surgical dislocation is regarded as the traditional gold standard, hip arthroscopy has become widely utilized in recent years. Studies comparing both open surgery and arthroscopy have shown comparable long-term pain reduction and improvements in clinical measures of hip function, as well as similar conversion rates to total hip arthroplasty. However, arthroscopy has trended toward earlier improvement, quicker recovery and faster return to sports. The purpose of this study was to review the recent literature on open and arthroscopic management of FAI.

Hip Instability in Ballet Dancers: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: Dancers possess a large degree of hip range of motion that results from a combination of innate and acquired osseous morphology and permissive soft tissues. Generalized hypermobility in dancers may predispose them to a spectrum of hip instability. The objective of this narrative review is to discuss the anatomical characteristics, pathogenesis, risk factors, clinical signs and symptoms, management, and outcomes of hip instability treatments in dancers.
Methods: A retrospective search was performed beginning November 1, 2017, for English language articles regarding hip stability in the dancer. Key words used included but were not limited to: dance(r), ballet, hip, hypermobility, range of motion, instability, microinstability, and laxity. PubMed, Scopus, and MEDLINE databases were used.
Results: Forty-three studies were analyzed. Groin pain was found to be the most common presenting symptom of hip instability. A variety of impingement and instability signs may be elicited during physical examination. Hypermobility is frequently observed and is thought to be a necessity for participation in elite levels of ballet. Radiographs and advanced planar imaging (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography) should be scrutinized to evaluate for dysplasia, cam, pincer, subspine, and rotational morphologies. Dysplasia (low volume acetabulum), cam morphology, femoral retroversion, and coxa valga are common findings in the ballet dancers' hip. Labral injuries and ligamentum teres tears are common and may potentiate instability in the hip. Management options include education, oral non-opioid medications, activity modification, exercise prescription, and surgery. Reported outcomes of these treatments in ballet are limited.
Conclusion: Hip hypermobility is prevalent in the ballet population and is a clear advantage. However, it may increase the risk of instability. It is important to identify the multifactorial osseous and soft tissue etiology of hip or groin pain in dancers. Practitioners should have a high level of suspicion for hip instability in the dancer presenting with hip pain and treat accordingly. There is a significant need for increased quantity and quality of investigation into the outcomes of treatment for hip instability in the dancer.

Does Time From Injury to Surgery Affect Outcomes After Surgical Repair of Partial and Complete Proximal Hamstring Ruptures?

BACKGROUND: No previous study has compared the outcomes of repair for partial and complete proximal hamstring ruptures at various intervals after the injury. PURPOSE: The primary aim was to determine whether time from injury to surgery affected outcomes after primary repair of partial and complete proximal hamstring ruptures. The secondary aim was to assess patients' experiences from initial evaluation to finding a treating surgeon. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Records from 2007 to 2016 from a single surgeon's practice were reviewed. A total of 124 proximal hamstring repair procedures in 121 patients were identified. There were 92 patients who completed questionnaires: a custom survey, the standard Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), a custom LEFS, the standard Marx activity scale, a custom Marx activity scale, and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score. Results were analyzed for partial and complete repair procedures performed at ≤3 weeks, ≤6 weeks, and >6 weeks after the injury. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 43 months (median, 38 months). Of 93 repair procedures reviewed, 51% (9/28 partial; 38/65 complete), 79% (16/28 partial; 57/65 complete), and 22% (12/28 partial; 8/65 complete) were performed at ≤3 weeks, ≤6 weeks, and >6 weeks, respectively. At those various intervals, no statistical difference was found in standard LEFS, custom LEFS, standard Marx, custom Marx, or UCLA scores. Female sex, older age, and body mass index >30 kg/m2 were negative predictors of outcome measures. When repaired >6 weeks after the injury, a greater percentage of patients reported weakness of the operative leg compared with the contralateral side (partial tears: 6.3% vs 25%, respectively; complete tears: 24.6% vs 50%, respectively) in addition to greater sitting intolerance (partial tears: 0% vs 25%, respectively; complete tears: 7.1% vs 12.5%, respectively). Patients repaired >6 weeks after the injury visited, on average, 2.6 practitioners before an evaluation by the treating surgeon compared with 1.6 treated surgically at ≤6 weeks (P = .008). CONCLUSION: Patients with proximal hamstring repair performed in the acute and chronic settings can expect successful outcomes but may experience more subjective weakness and difficulty with prolonged sitting when the repair is performed >6 weeks after the injury. Patients faced challenges in receiving the correct diagnosis and referral to an appropriate treating surgeon, emphasizing the need for an increased awareness of the injury.

The Prevalence of Cam Morphology: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of 3,558 Cadaveric Femora.

Purpose: We sought to determine (1) the prevalence of cam deformity in the population and that of bilateral cam deformity, (2) the typical location of a cam lesion, and (3) the typical size of a cam lesion by direct visualization in cadaveric femora. Methods: Two observers inspected 3,558 human cadaveric femora from the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Any asphericity >2 mm from the anterior femoral neck line was classified as a cam lesion. Once lesions had been inspected, the prevalence in the population, prevalence by gender, and prevalence of bilateral deformity were determined. Additionally, each lesion was measured and localized to a specific quadrant on the femoral neck based upon location of maximal deformity. Results: Cam lesions were noted in 33% of males and 20% of females. Eighty percent of patients with a cam lesion had bilateral lesions. When stratified by location of maximal deformity, 90.9% of lesions were in the anterosuperior quadrant and 9.1% were in the anteroinferior quadrants. The average lesion measured 17 mm long × 24 mm wide × 6 mm thick in men and 14 mm × 22 mm × 4 mm in women (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The population prevalence of cam deformity determined by direct visualization in cadavers may be higher than has been suggested in studies utilizing imaging modalities. Level of Evidence : Level II, diagnostic study.

Ability to return to work without restrictions in workers compensation patients undergoing hip arthroscopy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of worker's compensation (WC) patients to return to work without restrictions after hip arthroscopy. Twenty-nine WC patients along with age and gender matched controls who underwent hip arthroscopy were retrospectively reviewed after achieving maximum medical improvement (MMI) status at minimum 1 year postoperatively. Patient demographic factors were evaluated, along with the Hip Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living and Sports-Specific subscales, and the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). The majority of WC patients were able to return to work without restrictions after reaching MMI (20/29, 69.0%). WC patients who failed to return to work without restrictions had a prolonged time from injury to surgery (3.01 ± 2.16 months versus 6.36 ± 4.16 months; P = 0.0079), more concomitant orthopedic injuries (4/20, 20.0% versus 9/9, 100%; P = 0.0001), and higher body mass index (BMI) (26.61 ± 3.52 versus 29.54 ± 3.43; P = 0.047) than those who returned to work without restrictions. WC patients had significant improvement of patient-reported outcome scores following hip arthroscopy (P < 0.0001), but WC patients who returned to work without restrictions had higher scores than those who failed to do so (HOD-ADL: P < 0.0001; HOS-SS: P = 0.004; mHHS: P = 0.009). The majority of WC patients are able to return to work without restrictions when they reach MMI status following hip arthroscopy. Factors associated with failure to return to work without restrictions include prolonged time course between injury and surgical treatment, concomitant orthopaedic injuries, and a higher BMI. Level III, retrospective case-control study.

The Effect of Capsulotomy and Capsular Repair on Hip Distraction: A Cadaveric Investigation.

PURPOSE: To quantify how increasing interportal capsulotomy size affects the force required to distract the hip and to biomechanically compare simple side-to-side suture repair to acetabular-based suture anchors as capsular repair techniques. METHODS: Twelve fresh-frozen cadaveric hip specimens were dissected to the capsuloligamentous complex of the hip joint and fixed in a material testing system, such that a pure axial distraction of the iliofemoral ligament could be achieved. After each hip in was tested an intact state, sequential distraction was tested with 2, 4, 6, and 8 cm capsulotomies. Specimens were assigned randomly to be repaired with either 4 side-to-side suture repair (n = 6) or 2 double-loaded all-suture anchors (n = 6). The distraction force as well as the relative distraction force percentage normalized to the intact capsule were compared between suture repair and suture anchor repair groups. RESULTS: Increasing the size of the capsulotomy resulted in less force required to distract the hip to 6 mm. The force decreased as the capsulotomy was extended with statistical significance in distraction force seen between the intact state and the 4 cm (P = .003), 6 cm (P < .001), and 8 cm (P ≤ .001) capsulotomy but not for the intact state compared to the 2 cm capsulotomy (P = .28). Statistical significance in relative distraction force was seen for each of the capsulotomy conditions (P < .001 for all conditions compared with the intact state). The side-to-side suture repair construct (104.3% of intact force) required greater force to distraction to 6 mm compared with the suture anchor repair (87.1% of intact force) (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: An interportal capsulotomy significantly affected the force required to distract the hip in a cadaveric model, with the larger the size of capsulotomy resulting in less force required to distract the hip. When we performed an interportal capsulotomy, the iliofemoral ligament strength was altered significantly but capsular repair with either side-to-side sutures or suture anchor-based repair was able to restore the capsular strength to a native intact hip. We found, however, that the side-to-side suture repair was better able to restore the distraction force compared with suture anchor repair. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Capsular management during hip arthroscopy remains a debated topic, with multiple techniques involving both capsulotomy and capsular closure published in the literature. This study provides insight into capsular stability against axial stress under capsulotomy and capsular repair conditions.

Capsulotomy Size Affects Hip Joint Kinematic Stability.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of capsulotomy size and subsequent repair on the biomechanical stability of hip joint kinematics through external rotation of a cadaveric hip in neutral flexion. METHODS: Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric hip specimens were used in this study. Each hip was tested under torsional loads of 6 N·m applied by a servohydraulic frame and transmitted by a pulley system. The test conditions were (1) neutral flexion with the capsule intact, (2) neutral flexion with a 4-cm interportal capsulotomy, (3) neutral flexion with a 6-cm capsulotomy, and (4) neutral flexion with capsulotomy repair. Soft tissue was retained during all interventions. Measures indicating joint kinematics (range of motion [ROM], hysteresis area [HA], and neutral zone [NZ]) were obtained for each condition. RESULTS: For all hip specimens, the average ROM, HA, and NZ were calculated relative to the intact capsular state (100%) and expressed in terms of percentage (± SD). The findings for ROM were as follows: intact, 100%; 4 cm, 107.42% ± 5.69%; 6 cm, 113.40% ± 7.92%; and repair, 99.78% ± 3.77%. The findings for HA were as follows: intact, 100%; 4 cm, 108.30% ± 9.30%; 6 cm, 115.30% ± 13.92%; and repair, 99.47% ± 4.12%. The findings for NZ were as follows: intact, 100%; 4 cm, 139.61% ± 62.35%; 6 cm, 169.25% ± 78.19%; and repair, 132.03% ± 64.38%. Statistically significant differences in ROM existed between the intact and 4-cm conditions (P = .039), the intact and 6-cm conditions (P < .0001), the 4-cm and repair conditions (P = .033), and the 6-cm and repair conditions (P < .0001). There was no statistically significant difference between the intact and repair conditions (P > .99) or between the 4- and 6-cm conditions (P = .126). CONCLUSIONS: Under laboratory-based conditions, larger-sized capsulotomies were accompanied by increases in all 3 measures of joint mobility: ROM, HA, and NZ at time zero. Complete capsular closure effectively restored these measures when compared with the intact condition. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cadaveric models consisting of the hip joint with surrounding soft tissue were used under laboratory testing conditions to investigate potential iatrogenic joint instability resulting from expansive capsulotomies, showing that complete capsular closure leads to reconstitution of original joint stability properties at time zero.

The Natural History of Femoroacetabular Impingement.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a clinical syndrome resulting from abnormal hip joint morphology and is a common cause of hip pain in young adults. FAI has been posited as a precursor to hip osteoarthritis (OA); however, conflicting evidence exists and the true natural history of the disease is unclear. The purpose of this article is to review the current understanding of how FAI damages the hip joint by highlighting its pathomechanics and etiology. We then review the current evidence relating FAI to OA. Lastly, we will discuss the potential of hip preservation surgery to alter the natural history of FAI, reduce the risk of developing OA and the need for future arthroplasty.

Sonographic prevalence of groin hernias and adductor tendinopathy in patients with femoroacetabular impingement.

BACKGROUND: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common debilitating condition that is associated with groin pain and limitation in young and active patients. Besides FAI, various disorders such as hernias, adductor tendinopathy, athletic pubalgia, lumbar spine affections, and others can cause similar symptoms. PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of inguinal and/or femoral herniation and adductor insertion tendinopathy using dynamic ultrasound in a cohort of patients with radiographic evidence of FAI. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: This retrospective study consisted of 74 patients (36 female and 38 male; mean age, 29 years; 83 symptomatic hips) with groin pain and radiographic evidence of FAI. In addition to the usual diagnostic algorithm, all patients underwent a dynamic ultrasound examination for signs of groin herniation and tendinopathy of the proximal insertion of the adductors. RESULTS: Evidence of groin herniation was found in 34 hips (41%). There were 27 inguinal (6 female, 21 male) and 10 femoral (9 female, 1 male) hernias. In 3 cases, inguinal and femoral herniation was coexistent. Overall, 5 patients underwent subsequent hernia repair. Patients with groin herniation were significantly older than those without (33 vs 27 years, respectively; P = .01). There were no significant differences for any of the radiographic or clinical parameters. Tendinopathy of the proximal adductor insertion was detected in 19 cases (23%; 11 female, 8 male). Tendinopathy was coexistent with groin herniation in 8 of the 19 cases. There were no significant differences for any of the radiographic or clinical parameters between patients with or without tendinopathy. Patients with a negative diagnostic hip injection result were more likely to have a concomitant groin hernia than those with a positive injection result (80% vs 27%, respectively). Overall, 38 hips underwent FAI surgery with satisfactory outcomes in terms of score values and subjective improvement. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that groin herniation and adductor insertion tendinopathy coexist frequently in patients with FAI. Although the clinical effect is yet unclear, 5 patients underwent hernia repair. Dynamic ultrasound is a useful tool to detect such pathological abnormalities. Diagnostic hip injections can be helpful to differentiate between the sources of pain.

Labral reconstruction with iliotibial band autografts and semitendinosus allografts improves hip joint contact area and contact pressure: an in vitro analysis.

BACKGROUND: Labral reconstruction using iliotibial band (ITB) autografts and semitendinosus (Semi-T) allografts has recently been described in cases of labral deficiency. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: To characterize the joint biomechanics with a labrum-intact, labrum-deficient, and labrum-reconstructed acetabulum in a hip cadaveric model. The hypothesis was that labral resection would decrease contact area, increase contact pressure, and increase peak force, while subsequent labral reconstruction with ITB autografts or Semi-T allografts would restore these values toward the native intact labral state. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Ten fresh-frozen human cadaveric hips were analyzed utilizing thin-film piezoresistive load sensors to measure contact area, contact pressure, and peak force (1) with the native intact labrum, (2) after segmental labral resection, and (3) after graft labral reconstruction with either ITB autografts or Semi-T allografts. Each specimen was examined at 20° of extension and 60° of flexion. Statistical analysis was conducted through 1-way analysis of variance with post hoc Games-Howell tests. RESULTS: For the ITB group, labral resection significantly decreased contact area (at 20°: 73.2%±5.38%, P=.0010; at 60°: 78.5%±6.93%, P=.0063) and increased contact pressure (at 20°: 106.7%±4.15%, P=.0387; at 60°: 103.9%±1.15%, P=.0428). In addition, ITB reconstruction improved contact area (at 20°: 87.2%±12.3%, P=.0130; at 60°: 90.5%±8.81%, P=.0079) and contact pressure (at 20°: 98.5%±5.71%, P=.0476; at 60°: 96.6%±1.13%, P=.0056) from the resected state. Contact pressure at 60° of flexion was significantly lower compared with the native labrum (P=.0420). For the Semi-T group, labral resection significantly decreased contact area (at 20°: 68.1%±12.57%, P=.0002; at 60°: 67.5%±6.70%, P=.0002) and increased contact pressure (at 20°: 105.3%±3.73%, P=.0304; at 60°: 106.8%±4.04%, P=.0231). Semi-T reconstruction improved contact area (at 20°: 87.9%±7.95%, P=.0087; at 60°: 92.9%±13.2%, P=.0014) and contact pressure (at 20°: 97.1%±3.18%, P=.0017; at 60°: 97.4%±4.39%, P=.0027) from the resected state. Comparative analysis demonstrated no statistically significant differences between either graft reconstruction in relation to contact area, contact pressure, or peak force. CONCLUSION: Segmental anterosuperior labral resection results in significantly decreased contact areas and increased contact pressures, while labral reconstruction partially restores time-zero acetabular contact areas and pressures as compared with the resected state. Although labral reconstruction improved the measured biomechanical properties as compared with the resected state, some of these properties remained significantly different compared with the native intact labrum. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Labral reconstruction appears to improve femoroacetabular joint biomechanics as compared with the labrum-resected state; these improved biomechanics may translate into increased joint function clinically.

A nomogram to predict major complications after hip and knee arthroplasty.

We aimed to develop a nomogram for risk stratification of major postoperative complications in hip and knee arthroplasty based on preoperative and intraoperative variables, and assessed whether this tool would have better predictive performance compared to the Surgical Apgar Score (SAS). Logistic regression analysis was performed to develop a nomogram. Discrimination and calibration were assessed. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) was used to compare to the SAS. All variables were found to be statistically significant predictors of post-operative complications except race and lowest heart rate. The concordance index was 0.76 with good calibration. Compared to the SAS, the NRI was 71.5% overall. We developed a clinical prediction tool, the Morbidity and Mortality Acute Predictor for arthroplasty (arthro-MAP) that might be useful for postoperative risk stratification.

Pediatric physeal ankle fracture.

Ankle fracture is the second most common fracture type in children, and physeal injury is a particular concern. Growing children have open physes that are relatively weak compared with surrounding bone and ligaments, and traumatic injuries can cause physeal damage and fracture. Tenderness to palpation over the physis can aid in the clinical diagnosis of ankle fracture. Swelling, bruising, and deformity may be identified, as well. Plain radiographs are excellent for initial evaluation, but CT may be required to determine displacement and to aid in surgical planning, particularly in the setting of intra-articular fractures. The Salter-Harris classification is the most widely used system to determine appropriate management and assess long-term prognosis. Complications of physeal injury include shortening and/or angular deformity. Tillaux and triplane fractures occur in the 18-month transitional period preceding physeal closure, which typically occurs at age 14 years in girls and age 16 years in boys. Management is determined by the amount of growth remaining, with the intent of maintaining optimum function while limiting the risk of physeal damage and joint incongruity.

The Surgical Apgar Score in hip and knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: A 10-point Surgical Apgar Score, based on patients' estimated blood loss, lowest heart rate, and lowest mean arterial pressure during surgery, was developed to rate patients' outcomes in general and vascular surgery but has not been tested for patients having orthopaedic surgery. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: For patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasties, we asked (1) whether the score provides accurate risk stratification for major postoperative complications, and (2) whether it captures intraoperative variables contributing to postoperative risk based on the three parameters independent of preoperative risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic records for all 3511 patients who underwent a hip or knee arthroplasty from March 2003 to August 2006 and extracted data to calculate a Surgical Apgar Score. We evaluated the relationship between scores and likelihood of major postoperative in-hospital complications and assessed its discrimination and calibration. RESULTS: Complication rates increased monotonically as the score decreased. Even after controlling for preoperative risk, each 1-point decrease in the score was associated with a 34.0% increase (95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.84) in the odds of a complication. The overall discriminatory performance of the score was a c-statistic of 0.61. Seventy-six percent of all major complications occurred in patients classified as low risk with scores of 7 or greater. CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasties, the score captures important intraoperative information regarding risk of complications and contributes additional information to preoperative risk, but on its own is insufficient to provide comprehensive postoperative risk stratification for arthroplasties. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.