Abstract
Introduction
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a relatively recent recognised condition and a potential cause of anterior hip pain in the young military adult population. Both Cam and Pincer type FAI may lead to inflammation, labral tears, and or damage to the smooth articular cartilage of the acetabulum leading potentially to early osteoarthritis of the hip. Open Surgical hip dislocation using the Ganz Trochanteric Flip approach is an accepted technique allowing osteoplasty of the femoral neck and acetabular rim combined with labral repair if required. We present our results of this technique used in military personnel.
Methods
All Military personnel who underwent FAI surgery in our unit since August 2006 were included in the study. Functional outcome was measured using the Oxford hip and McCarthy non-arthritic hip scores pre and post-operatively. Results: 13 hips in 11 patients with an average age of 36 years (21–45) underwent surgical hip dislocation for treatment of FAI. Average time of downgrading prior to surgery was 9.3(3-18) months. 6 out of the 11 patients have been upgraded to P2. Average time to upgrading was 6.8(3-17) months. There were no infections, dislocations, or neurovascular complications. Mean Oxford Hip Score improved from 22.8(range 8–38) to 39.5(11–48) and mean McCarthy hip score from 49.6(33.75–80) to 79.2(36.25–100) with an average follow up of 19.4 months (range 4– 42 months).
Discussion
The early results of surgical hip dislocation in military personnel are encouraging. Long-term follow-up is required to see if this technique prevents the natural progression to osteoarthritis.
