Abstract
The majority of patients who develop hip arthritis have a mechanical abnormality of the joint. The structural abnormalities range from instability (DDH) to impingement. Impingement leads to osteoarthritis by chronic damage to the acetabular labrum and adjacent cartilage.
In situations of endstage secondary DJD, hip arthroplasty is the most reliable treatment choice. In young patients with viable articular cartilage, joint salvage is indicated. Treatment should be directed at resolving the structural abnormalities that create the impingement.
Femoral abnormalities corrected by osteotomy or increased head-neck offset by chondro-osteoplasty creating a satisfactory head-neck offset. This can safely be done via anterior surgical dislocation or arthroscopically. The acetabular-labral lesions can be debrided and/or repaired. Acetabular abnormalities should be corrected by “reverse” PAO in those with acetabular retroversion or anterior acetabular debridement in those with satisfactory posterior coverage and a damaged anterior rim.
Often combinations of the above are indicated.
