ARTHROSCOPIC ADHESIOLYSIS FOR TREATMENT OF PERSITENT PAIN AFTER SURGICAL HIP DISLOCATION FOR FEMOROACETABULAR IMPINGMENT – FIRST RESULTS

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the arthroscopy findings in the hips of patient with persistent pain after surgical hip dislocation for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome.

Type of study: Retrospective, consecutive series of patients

Patients and Methods: Sixteen consecutive patients (6 male/10 female; average age 33,5 years 19–60y) with persistent pain after surgical hip dislocation for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement were included. At the index surgery, all patients had an osteo-chondroplasty of the head neck junction and a resection of the acetabular rim with reattachment of the labrum in 9 cases. All patients had a preoperative arthro-MRI and were treated with arthroscopy of the hip.

Results: At arthroscopy all reattached labra were stable. In the cases without preservation of the labrum, the joint capsule was attached level with the acetabular rim and had important synovitis. All patients had adhesions between the neck of the femur and joint capsule or between labrum and capsule. In 3 patients the arthroscopic procedure was technically limited by massive thickening of the capsule. Overall 75% (12 of 16) patients showed less pain or were pain free. MDA improved from preoperatively 13 to 16 points at last follow up.

Conclusions: Persistent pain after surgical dislocation of the hip could result from intraarticular adhesions that can be shown in the MRI. Hip arthroscopy after previous surgery can be demanding due to scarring. If the adhesions can be released good results can be achieved. Hip arthroscopy is a save therapeutical tool to treat patients with intraarticulary adhesions after surgical dislocation of the hip for femoroacetabular impingement.