Modern Hip Arthroscopy for FAIS May Delay the Natural History of Osteoarthritis in 25% of Patients: A 12-Year Follow-up Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effect of modern hip arthroscopy on the natural history of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) with respect to joint preservation. PURPOSE: To (1) characterize the natural history of FAIS and (2) understand the effect of modern hip arthroscopy by radiographically comparing the hips of patients who underwent only unilateral primary hip arthroscopy with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2012, 619 consecutive patients were reviewed from the practice of a single fellowship-trained hip arthroscopic surgeon. Inclusion criteria were FAIS, bilateral radiographic findings of femoroacetabular impingement, primary unilateral hip arthroscopy (labral repair, femoroplasty, or capsular closure), and minimum 10-year follow-up. The preoperative and minimum 10-year postoperative radiographs of patients were evaluated at each time point. Both operative and nonoperative hips were graded using the Tönnis classification or the presence of hip arthroplasty by 2 independent reviewers. Subgroup analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 200 hips from 100 patients were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 12.0 years. Preoperatively, 98% and 99% of operative and nonoperative hips were evaluated as Tönnis grades 0 and 1, respectively; 5% of nonoperative hips had worse Tönnis grades than operative hips. The nonoperative hip advanced to a worse Tönnis grade in 48% (48/100) of cases compared with 28% (28/100) among operative hips. At follow-up, Tönnis grades between hips were equal in 70% (70/100) of the cases, the operative hip had a better grade 25% (25/100) of the time, and the nonoperative hip had a better grade 5% (5/100) of the time. Modern hip arthroscopy was associated with a relative risk reduction of 42% in osteoarthritis progression. Impingement with borderline dysplasia, age, preoperative Tönnis grade, and alpha angle >65° were key risk factors in the radiographic progression of osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION: Although the majority of patients (70%) undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS did not experience differences between operative and nonoperative hips in terms of the radiographic progression of osteoarthritis, the natural history may be favorably altered for 25% of patients whose Tönnis grade was better after undergoing arthroscopic correction. Modern hip arthroscopy indications and techniques represent a valid joint-preservation procedure conferring a relative risk reduction of 42% in the progression of osteoarthritis. Arthroscopy for mixed patterns of impingement and instability were the fastest to degenerate.

Association Between Chondrolabral Junction Breakdown and Conversion to Total Hip Arthroplasty After Hip Arthroscopy for Symptomatic Labral Tears: Minimum 8-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and symptomatic labral tears confers short- to midterm benefits, yet further long-term evidence is needed. Moreover, despite the physiological and biomechanical significance of the chondrolabral junction (CLJ), the clinical implications of damage to this transition zone remain understudied. PURPOSE: To (1) report minimum 8-year survivorship and patient-reported outcome measures after hip arthroscopy for FAI and (2) characterize associations between outcomes and patient characteristics (age, body mass index, sex), pathological parameters (Tönnis angle, alpha angle, type of FAI, CLJ breakdown), and procedures performed (labral management, FAI treatment, microfracture). STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for symptomatic labral tears secondary to FAI by a single surgeon between 2002 and 2013. All patients were ≥18 years of age with minimum 8-year follow-up and available preoperative radiographs. The primary outcome was conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA), and secondary outcomes included revision arthroscopy, patient-reported outcome measures, and patient satisfaction. CLJ breakdown was assessed using the Beck classification. Kaplan-Meier estimates and weighted Cox regression were used to estimate 10-year survivorship (no conversion to THA) and identify risk factors associated with THA conversion. RESULTS: In this study of 174 hips (50.6% female; mean age, 37.8 ± 11.2 years) with mean follow-up of 11.1 ± 2.5 years, the 10-year survivorship rate was 81.6% (95% CI, 75.9%-87.7%). Conversion to THA occurred at a mean 4.7 ± 3.8 years postoperatively. Unadjusted analyses revealed several variables significantly associated with THA conversion, including older age; higher body mass index; higher Tönnis grade; labral debridement; and advanced breakdown of the CLJ, labrum, or articular cartilage. Survivorship at 10 years was inferior in patients exhibiting severe (43.6%; 95% CI, 31.9%-59.7%) versus mild (97.9%; 95% CI, 95.1%-100%) breakdown of the CLJ (P < .001). Multivariable analysis identified worsening CLJ breakdown (weighted hazard ratio per 1-unit increase, 6.41; 95% CI, 3.11-13.24), older age (1.09; 95% CI, 1.04-1.14), and higher Tönnis grade (4.59; 95% CI, 2.13-9.90) as independent negative prognosticators (P < .001 for all). CONCLUSION: Although most patients achieved favorable minimum 8-year outcomes, several pre- and intraoperative factors were associated with THA conversion; of these, worse CLJ breakdown, higher Tönnis grade, and older age were the strongest predictors.

[Risk factors for hip osteoarthritis after arthroscopy in patients with femoroacetabular impingement].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors of hip osteoarthritis（HOA） after hip arthroscopy in patients with femoro-acetabular impingement（FAI） syndrome, and to reduce and prevent HOA. METHODS: From September 2018 to September 2020, 106 patients with FAI underwent hip arthroscopy, including 40 males and 66 females, aged from 20 to 55 years old with an average age of （33.05±10.19） years old. The mechanism of injury included 51 cases for sports injury, 36 for traffic accidents, and 19 for blunt object injury. The duration of the disease ranged from 5 to 19 days with an average of （12.02±3.69） days. All patients were followed up for 18 months. Patients were divided into HOA group （23 cases） and non-HOA group （83 cases） according to the occurrence of HOA. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of HOA after hip arthroscopy in FAI patients. RESULTS: By univariate analysis, aged from 50 to 70 years old, female, body mass index（BMI）> 30 kg·m-2, physical labor, cam type, postoperative infection, last follow-up hip degree of motion （range of motion, ROM） （flexion, abduction, adduction, internal rotation） and Tönnis grade 1 and above of the HOA group were higher than those of the non-HOA group （P<0.05）, and the relative appendicular skeletal muscle index （RASM） was lower than that of non-HOA group（P<0.05）. By multiple Logistic regression analysis, cam type, BMI>30 kg·m-2, last follow-up hip internal rotation ROM and Tönnis grade 1 were risk factors for HOA after hip arthroscopy in FAI patients （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION: FAI classification, body mass index, hip ROM and Tönnis grade are all related to HOA after hip arthroscopy in FAI patients. Follow-up and intervention should be strengthened in high-risk FAI patients to reduce the occurrence of HOA.

Editorial Commentary: Younger Patients With Hip Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome and a Superolateral Cam Lesion Location May Require Aggressive Treatment to Prevent Post-Arthroscopy Total Hip Replacement.

Hip femoroacetabular impingement syndrome is observed in 47% to 74% of patients with hip pain. Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome may result in osteoarthritis. It is well known that cam lesion volume and hip alpha angle are critical parameters determining patient outcomes. Recent research shows that a superolateral cam lesion location increases risk of hip arthroplasty at 5 years, and that this is more common in younger patients. The clinical relevance is that we may need to more aggressively treat superolateral cam lesions in younger patients, pending additional research to determine whether location is destiny.

Increased Alpha Angles and Younger Age Increase the Risk of Contralateral Femoral Acetabular Impingement Syndrome Symptom Development and Surgical Intervention: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To identify the preoperative risk factors associated with contralateral symptom development and surgical intervention for patients presenting with unilateral femoral acetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome. METHODS: A literature search was performed using PubMed and Scopus computerized databases according to the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies evaluating preoperative risk factors associated with the contralateral progression of FAI were included. Quality assessment was completed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria. RESULTS: A total of 5 studies (n = 1,011 patients; mean age, 29.9 years) published from 2013 to 2022 met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Mean follow-up ranged from 12 to 132 months. The overall rate of contralateral progression of symptomatic FAI ranged from 32.4% to 81%. Increased alpha angle was frequently reported factor associated with contralateral symptom progression, followed by decreased total arc of rotation, decreased internal rotation, reduced neck-shaft angle, and head-neck offset. The incidence rate of progression to contralateral surgery ranged from 15.7% to 24% of patients. Younger age was frequently reported factor associated with contralateral surgical intervention, followed by male sex, increased level of activity, and increased alpha angle. CONCLUSIONS: Increased alpha angle and younger age were commonly reported risk factors associated with an increased risk of symptom development and surgical progression of contralateral FAI, respectively. The overall rate of contralateral progression of symptomatic FAI and the rate of progression to surgical intervention ranged up to 81% and 24%, respectively. This information may help both patients and surgeons to establish expectations regarding development of contralateral hip symptoms and possible need for surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III; systematic review of Level II-III studies.

Hip Pain in Adolescent Patients.

Hip pain is a common complaint in adolescents. There are several causes for hip pain in this population, with dysplasia and impingement being the most common; however, other conditions such as extra-articular impingement, torsional disorders, labral tears, and osteochondral lesions also require consideration. Many of these conditions are related to underlying anatomic abnormalities and increased activity in this age group. An understanding of the common pathologies of the adolescent hip is integral to the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of these patients.

[What surgical treatment for femoro-acetabular impingement?] / Quelle prise en charge chirurgicale pour le conflit fémoro-acétabulaire ?

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a frequent cause of hip pain in young people and athletes. It requires a complete work-up, including X-rays, hip arthro-MRI and CT coxometry with measurement of femoral torsion. The surgical management of CFA must be adapted to the morphological anomalies of the femur (cam), acetabulum (pincer) and femoral torsional disorders. Most CFA can be treated by hip arthroscopy, with correction of the cam and suture of the labrum. Some CFA with a bulky or posterior cam require surgical hip dislocation. A femoral rotation or derotation osteotomy can correct an associated torsional disorder. In cases of marked retroversion of the acetabulum, anteverting periacetabular osteotomy can reorient the acetabulum.

Le conflit fémoro-acétabulaire (CFA) est une cause fréquente de douleurs de hanche chez le sujet jeune et l'athlète. Il nécessite un bilan par radiographie, arthro-IRM de hanche, coxométrie scanographique avec torsions fémorales. La prise en charge chirurgicale du CFA doit être adaptée en fonction des anomalies morphologiques du fémur (came), du cotyle (pince) et des troubles torsionnels du fémur. La majorité des CFA peuvent être traitées par arthroscopie de hanche avec correction de la came et suture du labrum. Certains CFA avec une came volumineuse ou postérieure nécessitent une prise en charge par luxation chirurgicale de hanche. Une ostéotomie fémorale de rotation ou dérotation peut corriger un trouble torsionnel associé. En cas de rétroversion marquée du cotyle, une ostéotomie périacétabulaire d'antéversion permet de réorienter le cotyle.

Reprint of: Class I Obesity Delays Achievement of Patient-Acceptable Symptom State but Not Minimum Clinically Important Difference or Substantial Clinical Benefit After Primary Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To identify differences in the time taken to achieve the minimum clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) following primary hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) among patients of different body mass index (BMI) categories. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective comparative study of hip arthroscopy patients with minimum 2-year follow-up. BMI categories were defined as normal (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25.0), overweight (25.0 ≤ BMI <30.0), or class I obese (30.0≤BMI<35.0). All subjects completed the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) prior to surgery and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperative. MCID and SCB cutoffs were defined as pre-to-postoperative increases in mHHS by ≥8.2 and ≥19.8, respectively. PASS cutoff was set at postoperative mHHS ≥74. Time to achievement of each milestone was compared using the interval-censored EMICM algorithm. The effect of BMI was adjusted for age and sex using an interval-censored proportional hazards model. RESULTS: 285 patients were included in the analysis: 150 (52.6%) normal BMI, 99 (34.7%) overweight, and 36 (12.6%) obese. Obese patients had lower mHHS at baseline (P = .006) and at 2-year follow-up (P = .008). There were no significant intergroup differences in time to achievement for MCID (P = .92) or SCB (P = .69), but obese patients had longer time to PASS than normal BMI patients (P = .047). Multivariable analysis found obesity to be predictive of longer time to PASS (HR = .55; P = .007) but not MCID (HR = 0.91; P = .68) or SCB (HR = 1.06; P = .30). CONCLUSIONS: Class I obesity is associated with delays in achieving a literature-defined PASS threshold after primary hip arthroscopy for FAIS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

The Impact of Age on Clinical Outcomes of Acetabular Microfracture During FAI Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Full-thickness acetabular cartilage lesions are common findings during primary surgical treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcomes after acetabular microfracture performed during FAI surgery in a prospective, multicenter cohort. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort Study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients with FAI who had failed nonoperative management were prospectively enrolled in a multicenter cohort. Preoperative and postoperative (mean follow-up, 4.3 years) patient-reported outcome measures were obtained with a follow-up rate of 81.6% (621/761 hips), including 54 patients who underwent acetabular microfracture. Patient characteristics, radiographic parameters, intraoperative disease severity, and operative procedures were analyzed. Propensity matching using linear regression was used to match 54 hips with microfracture to 162 control hips (1:3) to control for confounding variables. Subanalyses of hips ≤35 and >35 years of age with propensity matching were also performed. RESULTS: Patients who underwent acetabular microfracture were more likely to be male (81.8% vs 40.9%; P < .001), be older in age (35.0 vs 29.9 years; P = .001), have a higher body mass index (27.2 vs 25.0; P = .001), and have a greater alpha angle (69.6° vs 62.3°; P < .001) compared with the nonmicrofracture cohort (n = 533). After propensity matching to control for covariates, patients treated with microfracture displayed no differences in the modified Harris Hip Score or Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (P = .22-.95) but were more likely to undergo total hip arthroplasty (THA) (13% [7/54] compared with 4% [6/162] in the control group; P = .002), and age >35 years was associated with conversion to THA after microfracture. Microfracture performed at or before 35 years of age portended good outcomes with no significant risk of conversion to THA at the most recent follow-up. CONCLUSION: Microfracture of acetabular cartilage defects appears to be safe and associated with reliably improved short- to mid-term results in younger patients; modified expectations should be realized when full-thickness chondral lesions are identified in patients >35 years of age.

Low Rates of 5-Year Secondary Surgery and Postoperative Complications After Primary Hip Arthroscopy in More Than 30,000 Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate 90-day complications, 5-year secondary surgery rates, and risk factors for secondary surgery following primary hip arthroscopy performed for femoroacetabular impingement and/or labral tears using a large national dataset. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the PearlDiver Mariner151 database. Patients with International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, diagnosis codes for femoroacetabular impingement and/or labral tear undergoing primary hip arthroscopy with femoroplasty, acetabuloplasty, and/or labral repair between 2015 and 2021 were identified. Those with concomitant International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes for infection, neoplasm, or fracture were excluded, as were patients with a history of previous hip arthroscopy or total hip arthroplasty, or age ≥70 years. Rates of complications within 90 days of surgery were assessed. Five-year rates of secondary surgery-revision hip arthroscopy or conversion to total hip arthroplasty-were determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis, and risk factors for secondary surgery were identified by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 31,623 patients underwent primary hip arthroscopy from October 2015 to April 2021, with annual volumes ranging from 5,340 to 6,343 surgeries per year. Femoroplasty was the most frequent surgical procedure (performed in 81.1% of surgical encounters), followed by labral repair (72.6%) and acetabuloplasty (33.0%). Ninety-day postoperative complication rates were low, with 1.28% of patients experiencing any complication. The 5-year secondary surgery rate was 4.9% (N = 915 patients). Multivariate logistic regression identified age <20 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.50; P < .001), female sex (OR 1.33; P < .001), class I obesity (body mass index 30-34.9: OR 1.30; P = .04), and class II/III obesity (body mass index ≥35.0: OR 1.29; P = .02) as independent predictors of secondary surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of primary hip arthroscopy, 90-day adverse events were low at 1.28%, and the 5-year secondary surgery rate was 4.9%. Age younger than 20 years, female sex, and obesity were risk factors for secondary surgery, suggesting the need for increased surveillance in these patient groups. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Over 50% of Studies Report Low-Back Pain Is Associated With Worse Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy When Compared With a Control Group: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To review outcomes of patients with low-back pathology undergoing primary hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome. METHODS: The PubMed, Cochrane Trials, and Scopus databases were queried in June 2022 to conduct this systematic review using the following terms: ("hip" OR "femoroacetabular impingement") AND ("arthroscopy" OR "arthroscopic") AND ("spine" OR "lumbar" OR "sacral" OR "hip-spine" OR "back") AND ("outcomes"). Articles were included if they reported on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and/or clinical benefit of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy with concomitant low-back pathology. The review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) criteria. Case reports, opinion articles, review articles, and technique articles were excluded from this study. Forest plots were created to analyze preoperative and postoperative outcomes among patients with low-back pathology. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included in the review. There were 750 hips with low-back pathology and FAI (hip-spine syndrome) and 1,800 hips with only FAI (no hip-spine syndrome). All 14 studies reported PROs. In 4 studies in the group with hip-spine syndrome and 8 studies in the group with FAI without low-back pathology, the respective cohorts were reported to achieve the minimal clinically important difference in at least 1 PRO at a rate of 80%. Eight studies reported that patients with low-back pathology were associated with inferior outcomes or clinical benefit compared with patients without low-back pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing primary hip arthroscopy with concomitant low-back pathology can expect favorable outcomes, but outcomes are superior in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI alone compared with FAI with concomitant low-back pathology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level II to Level IV studies.

CT-guided quadratus femoris injection for ischiofemoral impingement.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the technique, efficacy, and safety of CT-guided quadratus femoris injection with corticosteroid and local anesthetic for the treatment of ischiofemoral impingement in a series of cases at our institution. METHODS: Cases of CT-guided quadratus femoris injections from 2000 to 2021 were identified in the enterprise-wide electronic medical record of our institution. Patient charts and our institutional picture archiving and communication system (PACS) were searched for demographics, pain level on a 0-10 scale before and immediately following the procedure, procedure technique, and follow-up outcomes if available. RESULTS: There were 13 cases among 12 patients with clinical and imaging findings of ischiofemoral impingement included in this study. Of the 12 patients, 10 were female and two were male. There were eight posterior approaches and five posterolateral approaches. Of the 13 cases, 11 resulted in immediate pain reduction. The median reduction in pain score was four (average 3.46, range 0-8.5). There was no statistically significant difference in pain reduction between the posterior approach cases and the posterolateral approach cases. No cases reported immediate complications or increases in pain score. Of the 12 cases, seven resulted in at least 1 month of pain relief, three had subsequent surgeries, and three had no follow-up. CONCLUSION: CT-guided quadratus femoris injection is safe and effective for treating ischiofemoral impingement. Further and larger scale study is needed to fully delineate differences in technique effectiveness. KEY POINTS: • CT-guided quadratus femoris injection is safe and effective for treating ischiofemoral impingement. • We found no statistically significant difference in pain reduction between the posterior approach and the posterolateral approach.

Editorial Commentary: Treatment of Concomitant Intra-Articular Pathology in Patients With Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome Is Indicated by Provocative Impingement or Instability Physical Examination and Ultrasound-Guided Analgesic Injection Testing.

Endoscopic surgery can be used to address peritrochanteric pathology in patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome. During management of these patients, surgeons must decide whether adjunctive hip arthroscopy to treat concomitant intra-articular pathology (such as labral tears or chondral lesions) is required, because the prevalence of intra-articular findings may be greater than the clinical significance. A thorough history and physical examination can help distinguish whether the symptoms are arising from a peritrochanteric issue (e.g., gluteal tendinopathy, trochanteric bursitis, external coxa saltans) versus an intra-articular pain generator. Increased symptoms with provocative impingement or instability testing indicate adjunctive hip arthroscopy to address intra-articular abnormalities. In addition, an ultrasound-guided analgesic injection into the hip joint or peritrochanteric region may aid in diagnosis. A patient with partial symptomatic relief from separate injections into both areas is a classic presentation and consistent with a mixed-picture of peritrochanteric and intra-articular pathology, which may be addressed with a combined endoscopic and arthroscopic approach.

Class I Obesity Delays Achievement of Patient-Acceptable Symptom State but Not Minimum Clinically Important Difference or Substantial Clinical Benefit After Primary Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To identify differences in the time taken to achieve the minimum clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) following primary hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) among patients of different body mass index (BMI) categories. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective comparative study of hip arthroscopy patients with minimum 2-year follow-up. BMI categories were defined as normal (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25.0), overweight (25.0 ≤ BMI <30.0), or class I obese (30.0≤BMI<35.0). All subjects completed the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) prior to surgery and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperative. MCID and SCB cutoffs were defined as pre-to-postoperative increases in mHHS by ≥8.2 and ≥19.8, respectively. PASS cutoff was set at postoperative mHHS ≥74. Time to achievement of each milestone was compared using the interval-censored EMICM algorithm. The effect of BMI was adjusted for age and sex using an interval-censored proportional hazards model. RESULTS: 285 patients were included in the analysis: 150 (52.6%) normal BMI, 99 (34.7%) overweight, and 36 (12.6%) obese. Obese patients had lower mHHS at baseline (P = .006) and at 2-year follow-up (P = .008). There were no significant intergroup differences in time to achievement for MCID (P = .92) or SCB (P = .69), but obese patients had longer time to PASS than normal BMI patients (P = .047). Multivariable analysis found obesity to be predictive of longer time to PASS (HR = .55; P = .007) but not MCID (HR = 0.91; P = .68) or SCB (HR = 1.06; P = .30). CONCLUSIONS: Class I obesity is associated with delays in achieving a literature-defined PASS threshold after primary hip arthroscopy for FAIS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Editorial Commentary: Hip Arthroscopy in Patients With Moderate to Advanced Osteoarthritis Shows Unpredictable Results.

Hip arthroscopy is an effective surgical approach for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome with concomitant mild hip osteoarthritis (OA). However, in the FAI patients with moderate to advanced hip OA (Tönnis grade 2 or greater), whether hip arthroscopy could provide symptomatic relief or delay the need for an ultimate total hip arthroplasty surgery is controversial. The literature is heterogeneous and of generally lower quality evidence. Recent research reporting 10-year outcomes of hip arthroscopy in patients with hip OA shows 57% survivorship, and 78% survivor satisfaction. With unpredictable results, surgeons and well informed patients could hold some hope for a positive outcome after arthroscopy of an arthritic hip. As the Tönnis grading system shows poor interobserver reliability, surgeons may need to carefully consider their personal indications and resultant outcomes.

Groin pain of neurological origin as a differential diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement.

BACKGROUND: To describe the experience in the diagnostic process and treatment of patients with groin pain (GP) of neurological origin due to entrapment of the iliohypogastric (IH), ilioinguinal (IL) and genitofemoral (GF) nerves in a hip preservation clinic. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with GP of neurological origin confirmed with ultrasound-guided nerve block. Clinical outcomes were reported in 21 cases (age, 53.3 ± 15.9 years) treated with conservative treatment from January to December 2019, and in 9 patients (age 43.7 ± 14.6 years) who underwent neurectomy from January 2015 to December 2019. Pain intensity was assessed with a numerical rating scale (NRS) before starting the diagnostic process (Day 0) and at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: All cases reported pain on groin palpation. Half of these cases also reported a positive FADIR test (flexion, adduction, internal rotation) (15/30). On day 0, the intensity of pain in cases treated with conservative treatment was severe in 19 patients (NRS 7-10) and moderate in 2 (NRS 4-6), with a median improvement of 7 points (interquartile range [IQR] 5.5-8.0) at the end of follow-up (p < 0.001). In neurectomy group, a similar improvement in pain severity was (Day 0: 9 points [IQR 8.0-9.0]; end of follow-up: 0 points [IQR: 0-2.0]; p = 0.002). At the end of the study, 17/21 patients with conservative treatment and 7/9 with neurectomy were pain free or with mild pain (NRS < 3). CONCLUSIONS: In cases with PG of neurological origin, there is a high frequency of false positives in the FADIR test. Our findings suggest that neurectomy is a treatment option for patients in whom conservative treatment fails, providing significant pain relief.

Predictive radiological parameters of failure following surgical management of femoroacetabular impingement associated with borderline acetabular dysplasia.

INTRODUCTION: The role of arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in mild or borderline hip dysplasia (lateral center edge angle=18-25) is controversial. It is recommended to combine capsular plication with femoral neck osteoplasty and suture repair of the labrum. Few studies have investigated which radiological parameters are associated with failure of this procedure. HYPOTHESIS: A larger number of radiological signs of mild or borderline hip dysplasia than radiological signs of FAI negatively influence the outcomes of arthroscopic treatment. METHODS: This was a retrospective study done with data collected prospectively after a minimum of 2 years' follow-up in patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment of FAI due to cam impingement combined with mild to moderate hip dysplasia. Patients with hip osteoarthritis graded as ≥ Tönnis 2 were excluded. Functional outcome scores (mHHS and NAHS) were determined along with the need for reoperation. Three groups were defined based on the outcomes: success (mHHS ≥ Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State [PASS]); moderate improvement (improvement in mHHS + mHHS

Which hip morphology measures and patient factors are associated with age of onset and symptom severity in femoroacetabular impingement syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Bony morphology is central to the pathomechanism of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS), however isolated radiographic measures poorly predict symptom onset and severity. More comprehensive morphology measurement considered together with patient factors may better predict symptom presentation. This study aimed to determine the morphological parameter(s) and patient factor(s) associated with symptom age of onset and severity in FAIS. METHODS: 99 participants (age 32.9 ± 10.5 years; body mass index (BMI 24.3 ± 3.1 kg/m2; 42% females) diagnosed with FAIS received standardised plain radiographs and magnetic resonance scans. Alpha angle in four radial planes (superior to anterior), acetabular version (AV), femoral torsion, lateral centre-edge, anterior centre-edge (ACEA) and femoral neck-shaft angles were measured. Age of symptom onset (age at presentation minus duration of symptoms), international Hip Outcome Tool-33 (iHOT-33) and modified UCLA activity scores were recorded. Backward stepwise regression assessed morphological parameters and patient factors (age, sex, BMI, symptom duration, annual income, private/public healthcare system accessed) to determine variables independently associated with onset age and iHOT-33 score. RESULTS: Earlier symptom onset was associated with larger superoanterior alpha angle (p = 0.007), smaller AV (p = 0.023), lower BMI (p = 0.010) and public healthcare system access (p = 0.041) (r2 = 0.320). Worse iHOT-33 score was associated with smaller ACEA (p = 0.034), female sex (p = 0.040), worse modified UCLA activity score (p = 0.010) and public healthcare system access (p < 0.001) (r2 = 0.340). CONCLUSIONS: Age of symptom onset was chiefly predicted by femoral and acetabular bony morphology measures, whereas symptom severity predominantly by patient factors. Factors measured explained a small amount of variance in the data; additional unmeasured factors may be more influential.

Whole-genome RNA sequencing identifies distinct transcriptomic profiles in impingement cartilage between patients with femoroacetabular impingement and hip osteoarthritis.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) has a strong clinical association with the development of hip osteoarthritis (OA); however, the pathobiological mechanisms underlying the transition from focal impingement to global joint degeneration remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to use whole-genome RNA sequencing to identify and subsequently validate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in femoral head articular cartilage samples from patients with FAI and hip OA secondary to FAI. Thirty-seven patients were included in the study with whole-genome RNA sequencing performed on 10 gender-matched patients in the FAI and OA cohorts and the remaining specimens were used for validation analyses. We identified a total of 3531 DEGs between the FAI and OA cohorts with multiple targets for genes implicated in canonical OA pathways. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction validation confirmed increased expression of FGF18 and WNT16 in the FAI samples, while there was increased expression of MMP13 and ADAMTS4 in the OA samples. Expression levels of FGF18 and WNT16 were also higher in FAI samples with mild cartilage damage compared to FAI samples with severe cartilage damage or OA cartilage. Our study further expands the knowledge regarding distinct genetic reprogramming in the cartilage between FAI and hip OA patients. We independently validated the results of the sequencing analysis and found increased expression of anabolic markers in patients with FAI and minimal histologic cartilage damage, suggesting that anabolic signaling may be increased in early FAI with a transition to catabolic and inflammatory gene expression as FAI progresses towards more severe hip OA. Clinical significance:Cam-type FAI has a strong clinical association with hip OA; however, the cellular pathophysiology of disease progression remains poorly understood. Several previous studies have demonstrated increased expression of inflammatory markers in FAI cartilage samples, suggesting the involvement of these inflammatory pathways in the disease progression. Our study further expands the knowledge regarding distinct genetic reprogramming in the cartilage between FAI and hip OA patients. In addition to differences in inflammatory gene expression, we also identified differential expression in multiple pathways involved in hip OA progression.

Acetabular Paralabral Cyst Causing Obturator Nerve Compression in the Setting of Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: A Case Report.

CASE: Large acetabular paralabral cysts can cause compression of the surrounding neurovascular structures leading to sensory and motor deficits. We present a 68-year-old man with obturator nerve denervation from a paralabral cyst secondary to a labral tear associated with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. Resolution of symptoms and return to full activities were achieved at 3 months and maintained beyond 1 year through open cyst excision, obturator neurolysis, arthroscopic femoral osteoplasty, and labral repair in the same surgical setting. The patient had a successful clinical outcome, with pain and dysfunction resolution. CONCLUSION: Large paralabral cysts may cause obturator nerve compression, which can be successfully treated with open nerve decompression and arthroscopic treatment of labral pathology.