The repair of chondral lesions associated with femoroacetabular impingement requires specific treatment in addition to that of the impingement. In this single-centre retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of patients we compared treatment with microfracture (MFx) with a technique of enhanced microfracture autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC).

Acetabular grade III and IV chondral lesions measuring between 2 cm² and 8 cm² in 147 patients were treated by MFx in 77 and AMIC in 70. The outcome was assessed using the modified Harris hip score at six months and one, two, three, four and five years post-operatively. The outcome in both groups was significantly improved at six months and one year post-operatively. During the subsequent four years the outcome in the MFx group slowly deteriorated, whereas that in the AMIC group remained stable. Six patients in the MFx group subsequently required total hip arthroplasty, compared with none in the AMIC group

We conclude that the short-term clinical outcome improves in patients with acetabular chondral damage following both MFx and AMIC. However, the AMIC group had better and more durable improvement, particularly in patients with large (≥ 4 cm²) lesions.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:628–35.

To evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of patients treated arthroscopically with chitin-based scaffolding for acetabular chondral defects in conjunction with microfracture compared to microfracture alone. This study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. A review of charts was performed (2014–2016) on all patients who underwent hip arthroscopy and had microfracture +/− scaffolding for acetabular chondral defects, intraoperative details (lesion size, grade, labral repair/reconstruction) and postoperative complications were recorded with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Clinical outcomes were assessed by analysing iHOT and HOS scores which were obtained pre-operatively, at six months, one year and two years post-surgery. Plain radiographs were assessed for hip osteoarthritis by Kellgren & Lawrence grading. A total of 60 patients (microfracture=25, scaffolding=35) were included. Patients had a mean age of 36.2 years at the time of the index operation. There were no major adverse events of deep vein 36.2 years at the time of the index operation. There were no major adverse events of deep vein thrombosis, blood vessel or nerve damage, hemarthrosis or device related adverse events in both groups. Two patients were readmitted due to pain as a result of an inflammatory reaction in the scaffolding group. Both treatments of microfracture and scaffolding showed significant improvement in outcome score (iHOT) (p < 0 .001) when compared postoperative to preoperative. Both the arthroscopic treatment of chondral acetabular defects with chitin based scaffolding and microfracture demonstrated significant improvement from their pre-operative outcomes

Introduction: Chondral lesions are the second most common pathology encountered during hip arthroscopy. Microfracture is a simple and effective technique to treat chondral lesions with proven long term results in the knee. However, there is little evidence to confirm the ability of microfracture to produce repair tissue in hip joint. Methods: Patients with acetabular chondral defect treated with microfracture during primary arthroscopy and who had a subsequent hip arthroscopy enabling visualisation of the treated chondral defect were included in the study. Over a three year period 185 patients had microfracture for treatment of full thickness chondral defect. 11 patients (8 males and 3 females) with a mean age of 35 years (range 17–54 years) who had revision hip arthroscopy form the study population. The size of chondral defect was measured at the time of primary arthroscopy. Microfracture was performed using arthroscopic awls with a standard technique. Postoperatively a strict rehabilitation protocol was followed. The extent and quality of repair tissue was assessed by visual inspection at second look arthroscopy. Results: All patients had chondral lesions confined to the antero-superior aspect of the acetabulum with an associated labral tear. None had diffuse osteoarthritis. The average defect measured 180 mm2 (range 50–300). The mean time interval between primary and revision arthroscopy was 12 months. Excluding one failure the overall percent fill of the defects was 95% (range 75 – 100) with good quality cartilage. Discussion: Only one other series has reported on the macroscopic results of microfracture in the hip. Our series agrees with the results of those authors. These similar results from 2 centres confirm that arthroscopic microfracture is an effective treatment for acetabular chondral lesions in carefully selected patients

Introduction: Chondral lesions are the second most common pathology encountered during hip arthroscopy and can cause substantial morbidity and functional limitation. Microfracture is a simple and effective technique to treat chondral lesions. Studies have shown good long term results in the knee. However there is little evidence to confirm the ability of microfracture to produce repair tissue in hip joint. Methods: Patients aged 18 years or older who had a full thickness acetabular chondral defect treated with microfracture during primary arthroscopy and who had a subsequent hip arthroscopy enabling visualisation of the treated chondral defect were included in the study. Over a three year period 185 patients had microfracture for treatment of full thickness chondral defect. 11 patients (8 males and 3 females) with a mean age of 35 years (range 17–54 years) who had revision hip arthroscopy for various reasons form the study population. The size of chondral defect was measured at the time of primary arthroscopy. Microfracture was performed using arthroscopic awls with a standard technique. Postoperatively a strict rehabilitation protocol was followed with no weight bearing allowed for six weeks. The extent and quality of repair tissue was assessed by visual inspection at second look arthroscopy. Results: All acetabular chondral lesions were identified in the antero-superior quadrant at primary arthroscopy. The average defect after debridement measured 180 mm2 (range 50–300 mm2). 10 patients had chondral lesions confined to the acetabulum. 1 patient had a large femoral head defect in addition, due to Avascular Necrosis. None of the patients had diffuse osteoarthritis. All patients had an associated labral tear. The mean time interval between the primary and revision arthroscopy was 12 months. Excluding 1 failure the overall percent fill of the defects was 95% (range 75 – 100%) with good quality (Grade 1) cartilage. There was one failure with only a 25% fill. In that particular patient a large flap of delaminated cartilage was not resected at primary arthroscopy. Instead microfracture was done under the flap in the hope of encouraging the cartilage to stick to the underlying bone. Unfortunately the cartilage continued to remain delaminated and also hindered the formation of new repair tissue. Conclusion: Only one other series of second look arthroscopy after microfracture has been reported. Our series agrees with the results of those authors. These similar results from 2 centres confirm that arthroscopic microfracture is an effective treatment for acetabular chondral lesions in carefully selected patients

Aims

The primary aim of this study was to determine the ten-year outcome following surgical treatment for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). We assessed whether the evolution of practice from open to arthroscopic techniques influenced outcomes and tested whether any patient, radiological, or surgical factors were associated with outcome.

This systematic review examines the current literature regarding surgical techniques for restoring articular cartilage in the hip, from the older microfracture techniques involving perforation to the subchondral bone, to adaptations of this technique using nanofractures and scaffolds. This review discusses the autologous and allograft transfer systems and the autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) technique, as well as a summary of the previously discussed techniques, which could become common practice for restoring articular cartilage, thus reducing the need for total hip arthroplasty. Using the British Medical Journal Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (BMJ GRADE) system and Grade system. Comparison of the studies discussed shows that microfracture has the greatest quantity and quality of research, whereas the newer AMIC technique requires more research, but shows promise.

Cite this article: W. E. Hotham, A. Malviya. A systematic review of surgical methods to restore articular cartilage in the hip. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:336–342. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.75.BJR-2017-0331.

This study evaluates the outcome of arthroscopic femoral osteochondroplasty for cam lesions of the hip in the absence of additional pathology other than acetabular chondral lesions. We retrospectively reviewed 166 patients (170 hips) who were categorised according to three different grades of chondral damage. The outcome was assessed in each grade using the modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS) and the Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS).

Overall, at the last follow-up (mean 22 months, 12 to 72), the mean MHHS had improved by 15.3 points (95% confidence interval (CI), 8.9 to 21.7) and the mean NAHS by 15 points (95% CI, 9.4 to 20.5). Significantly better results were observed in hips with less severe chondral damage. Microfracture in limited chondral lesions showed superior results.

Arthroscopic femoral osteochondroplasty for cam impingement with microfracture in selected cases is beneficial. The outcome correlates with the severity of acetabular chondral damage.