Abstract
Over the past fifteen years hip preservation surgery has rapidly evolved. Improved understanding of the pathomechanics and associated intra-articular degeneration of both hip instability and femoroacetabular impingement have led to improved surgical indications, refined surgical techniques and more effective joint preservation surgical procedures. The periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) was initially introduced by Ganz and colleagues and has become the preferred treatment in North America for pre-arthritic, symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. Both hip arthroscopy and safe surgical dislocation of the hip have been popularised for the treatment of symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement disorders. Hip arthroscopy is effective for focal and\or accessible impingement lesions while the surgical dislocation approach is reserved for nonfocal disease patterns as seen in complex FAI, and residual Perthes and SCFE deformities. Femoroacetabular impingement from major acetabular retroversion can be managed with the PAO if there is coexistent posterosuperior acetabular insufficiency. Short- to mid-term results of these procedures are generally good to excellent for most patients and the complication rates associated with these procedures are very acceptable. Long-term outcomes are best known for the PAO. Several recent studies have documented survivorship rates of 65–90% at 10–20-year follow-up. Certain factors are associated with long-term success including minimal pre-operative radiographic OA, early symptoms, accurate acetabular correction, and younger age. These data strongly suggest that the PAO can defer THA to an older age for most patients while completely avoiding arthroplasty may only be possible in select patients with excellent congruency, no secondary OA and an ideal surgical correction.
