From 1990 to 1994 we undertook arthroscopy of the ankle on 34 consecutive patients with residual complaints following fracture. Two groups were compared prospectively. Group I comprised 18 patients with complaints which could be attributed clinically to anterior bony or soft-tissue impingement. In group II the complaints of the 16 patients were more diffuse and despite extensive investigation the definitive diagnosis was not clear before arthroscopy. At the time of the fracture, some osteophytes were already present in 41% of the patients. These were related to previous supination trauma and participation in soccer. Arthroscopic treatment consisted of removal of the anteriorly located osteophytes and/or scar tissue. After two years, group I showed a significantly better score for patient satisfaction (p = 0.02). There were good or excellent results in group I in 76% and group II in 43%. Patients with residual complaints after an ankle fracture and clinical signs of anterior impingement may benefit from arthroscopic surgery. The place for diagnostic ankle arthroscopy is limited

Background. Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) may be a predisposing factor in progression of osteoarthritis. The use of hip arthroscopy is in its infancy with very few studies currently reported. Early reports show favourable results for treatment of young patients with FAI. This prospective study over a larger age spectrum represents a significant addition to this expanding field of minimally invasive surgery. Methods. Over a twenty-two month period all patients undergoing interventional hip arthroscopy were recorded on a prospective database. Patient demographics, diagnosis, operative intervention and complications were noted. Patients were scored pre-operatively and postoperatively at 6 months and 1 year using the McCarthy score. Results. 94 patients met the criteria for inclusion in this study. Median age was 39 (15–66) years with 57.4% female, 16 patients were over the age of 50 years. At operation, 50 patients had a labral tear, 70 had cam impingement and 62 had chondral damage, with 21 of these deemed severe (grade 3 or 4). For all patients a mean increase in the McCarthy score of 14.6 (p=<0.0001) was seen at 6 months and 19.1 (p=0.0002) at 1 year postoperatively. For those over 50 years, at 6 months an increase of 11.9 (p=0.08) was seen, improving to 33.8 (p=<0.0001) at 1 year. Eight patients underwent THR, of these, 2 were over 50 years of age. All of this group of patients had chondral damage (50% judged as severe at arthroscopy). At 6 months postoperatively these patients had severe pain and their mean score worsened by −16.3 (p=0.2). Few complications were seen, 7 patients had tight access (5 males), 3 of which received chondral scuffing and 1 had the procedure abandoned, 1 patient had groin labral bruising and 2 patients had transient parasthesia. Conclusions. Patients see a gradual and significant improvement post hip arthroscopy, with symptoms continuing to improve until 1 year. This is a well-tolerated procedure with a low complication rate and the opportunity for treatment of a range of hip pathology. Patients over the age of 50 gain a significant improvement from this procedure. Two groups of patients who gain no improvement are those with inflammatory arthropathy and those with dysplastic acetabulae

Introduction. There is a challenge to detect partial tear of the ACL, the number of bundle injured and the proportion of fibers torn. The MRI was shown efficient to individualize the two anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles of the ACL. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of the MRI to detect partial tears of the ACL on axial views to display the AM and PL bundles. Materials and methods. This retrospective study included 48 patients (19 partial tears of the ACL, 16 complete rupture of the ACL and 13 normal knee) who underwent both arthroscopy and MRI examinations of the knee. The conventional MRI protocol included one sagittal T1- weighted sequence and 3 proton-density fat sat. The images from MRI were analysis by a radiologist specialized in musculoskeletal imaging who was blinding to the arthroscopic findings. The criteria for the analysis of MRI were divided into primary (those involving the ACL himself) and secondary signs (associated abnormalities). The primary signs included the horizontalisation of the ACL (ACL axis), the global ACL signal intensity and the signal intensity of each AM and PL bundle. The secondary signs included bone bruise, osteochondral impaction, popliteus muscle injury, medial collateral ligament injury and joint effusion. The ACL was classified as normal, partially or totally torn. The rupture of the AM and PL bundle was specified. Results. In our study, MRI was found to have a 75% sensitivity and a 73% specificity for the diagnosis of partial tears of the ACL. The sensitivity to detect AM bundle lesion was 88% but the specificity was 50%. The lack of horizontalisation of the ACL was a very good sign, for partial tears of the ACL, with a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 81% (p<0.05). Regarding the secondary signs, there was no significant difference to distinguish partial and complete tear. However, we found that there was a greater probability to find a partial tear of the ACL with the lack of joint effusion, bone bruise and medial collateral ligament injury. Quantifying the proportion of injured fibers was unsuccessful and was found as a failure of the MRI. Conclusions. MRI exhibited lower sensitivity and specificity for partial tear than for complete rupture of the ACL. However 3 important arguments can guide us: the lack of horizontalisation of the ACL, a continuous ACL signal, the display of one of two bundles on the axial view

Accurate documentation of operative findings is a fundamentally important part of any procedure and forms part of the Royal College of Surgeons of England's guidelines to good care, especially to “ensure that there are legible operative notes (typed if possible) for every operative procedure.” However, many hospitals fall short of this guideline when it comes to arthroscopic procedures because of the difficulty in reproducing visually representative and easy-to-understand images. There is an inability to properly record and archive findings of arthroscopic procedures. We, along with the British Orthopaedic Association, have developed an interactive, free Web-based operative note template that allows the surgeon to draw findings on diagrams of the joints commonly undergoing arthroscopy, type the findings, and then print as many copies as required. The use of the forms has allowed for quicker, easier, and more accurate documentation of arthroscopic procedures. The forms can then be saved to a database and used as a research tool

Introduction

Superior Labral Anterior Posterior Tears are being treated surgically in increasing numbers. Stiffness is the most common complication. We reviewed 115 cases of SLAP repairs to try and identify preoperative risk factors if any for stiffness.

PURPOSE. Osteochondral talar defects (OCDs) are sometimes located so far posteriorly that they may not be accessible by anterior arthroscopy, even with the ankle joint in full plantar flexion, because the talar dome is covered by the tibial plafond. It was hypothesized that computed tomography (CT) of the ankle in full plantar flexion could be useful for preoperative planning. The dual purpose of this study was, firstly, to test whether CT of the ankle joint in full plantar flexion is a reliable tool for the preoperative planning of anterior ankle arthroscopy for OCDs, and, secondly, to determine the area of the talar dome that can be reached by anterior ankle arthroscopy. METHODS. In this prospective study, CT-scans with sagittal reconstructions were made of 46 consecutive patients with their affected ankle in full plantar flexion. In the first 20, the distance between the anterior border of the OCD and the anterior tibial plafond was measured both on the scans and during anterior ankle arthroscopy as the gold standard. Intra- and interobserver reliability of CT as well as agreement between CT and arthroscopy were assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and a Bland and Altman graph. Next, the anterior and posterior borders of the talar dome as well as the anterior tibial plafond were marked on all 46 scans. Using a specially written computer routine, the anterior proportion of the talar dome not covered by the tibial plafond was calculated, both lateral and medial, indicating the accessible area. RESULTS. The distance between the anterior border of the OCD and the anterior tibial plafond ranged from −3.1 to 9.1 mm on CT and from −3.0 to 8.5 on arthroscopy. The intra- and interobserver reliability of the measurements made on CT-scans were excellent (ICC > 0.99, p < 0.001). Likewise, agreement between CT and arthroscopy was excellent (ICC=0.97; p < 0.001); only one patient showed a difference of more than 2.0 mm. The anterior 47.3 ± 6.8% (95%CI, 45.2–49.3) of the lateral talar dome, and 47.7 ± 7.0% (95%CI, 45.7–49.8) of the medial talar dome was not covered by the tibial plafond. CONCLUSIONS. Computed tomography of the ankle joint in full plantar flexion is an accurate preoperative planning method to determine the arthroscopic approach for treatment of OCDs of the talus. Almost half of the talar dome is directly accessible by anterior ankle arthroscopy

Introduction. Insufficient arthroscopic cuff tear reconstruction leading to massive osteoarthritis and irreparable rotator cuff tears might be salvaged by implantation of an inverted total shoulder prosthesis Delta in the elderly. However, despite the generally high success rate and satisfying clinical results of inverted total shoulder arthroplasty, this treatment option has potential complications. Therefore, the objective of this study was a prospective evaluation of the clinical and radiological outcome after a minimum of 2 years follow-up of patients undergoing inverted shoulder replacement with or without prior rotator cuff repair. Patients and Methods. Sixty-eight shoulders in 66 patients (36 women and 30 men) operated between February 2002 and June 2007 with a mean age of 66 years (ranging from 53 to 84 years) were first assessed preoperatively and then at minimum 2 years follow-up, using the Constant score for pain, Constant Shoulder Score, Oxford Shoulder Score, UCLA Shoulder rating scale, DASH Score, Rowe Score for Instability and Oxford Instability Score. 29 patients (Group A) had undergone previous shoulder arthroscopy for cuff tear reconstruction at a mean of 29 months (range 12 to 48 months) before surgery and 39 patients (Group B) underwent primary implantation of an inverted total shoulder prosthesis Delta. Any complications in both groups were assessed according to Goslings and Gouma. Results. We report statistically significant improvements of all obtained scores at a mean follow-up of 42 months (ranging from 24 to 96 months) in both groups. Significant outcome differences between 29 patients with previous shoulder arthroscopy for cuff tear reconstruction and 39 without previous shoulder arthroscopy were not observed. Eight complications occurred altogether, in terms of a nerve lesion once, loosening of the humeral stem three times, and loosening or fracture of the glenoid component four times. Conclusion. We did not detect any statistically significant impact of previous insufficient shoulder arthroscopy for cuff tear reconstruction on the outcome and survival rate after the implantation of the inverted total shoulder prosthesis Delta. We conclude that reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with the Delta prosthesis is significantly beneficial in terms of less shoulder pain, higher stability and gain of range of motion without this beneficial effect being significantly weakened by previous insufficient shoulder arthroscopy for cuff tear reconstruction. We believe that previous arthroscopic cuff tear reconstruction should therefore be included in the treatment algorithm

Aims

Pneumatic tourniquets are often used during the surgical treatment of unstable traumatic ankle fractures. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of reoperation after open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures with and without the use of pneumatic tourniquets.

Intra-articular shoulder pathology has been recognised in more detail following widespread use of shoulder arthroscopy. The purpose of this epidemiological study is to present the incidence and exact type of SLAP lesions in our operated population and to correlate them with the presence of other shoulder lesions. Between 2004 and 2010 425 patients underwent shoulder arthroscopy in our department (311 for rotator cuff tears or subacromial impingement, 102 for shoulder instability, 12 for SLAP lesions). Eighty-two SLAP lesions (19.2% overall) were recognized during these procedures. In 44 cases the lesion was SLAP type I (53.6%), in 10 type II (12.2%), in 1 type III (1.2%), in 1 type IV (1.2%), in 24 type V (29.26%) and finally in 2 type VI (2.43%). In more detail SLAP I lesions were associated in 8 patients with subacromial impingement syndrome, in 33 with RC tear and in 3 patients with anterior instability. Type II, III and IV were preoperatively diagnosed, while type V and VI lesions were found in patients with chronic anterior shoulder instability. SLAP lesions are diagnosed more accurately during shoulder arthroscopy rather than with plain shoulder MRI scan. In our study population only 12 cases were accurately diagnosed with a pre-operative MRI scan, while the remaining 70 cases were missed. Additionally, there was significant correlation between rotator cuff problems and SLAP I lesions, while chronic shoulder instability was associated with SLAP V and VI (25.4% of patients with instability). Shoulder arthroscopy not only has changed SLAP lesion diagnosis and treatment but also reveals the correlation of various SLAP lesion types with specific shoulder pathologies

Aim. To evaluate the correlation between the clinical Kirk Watson test and arthroscopic Geissler classification in scapholunate instability. Methods. All patients undergoing wrist arthroscopy between April 2006 and April 2010 were evaluated. Patients were included in the study if they had a Kirk Watson test and a wrist arthroscopy with an assessment of the stability of the scapholunate joint using the Geissler classification. Patients who had a Kirk Watson test performed with subsequent normal scapholunate joint at arthroscopy were included as a control group. Geissler grades 1 and 2 and grades 3 and 4 were grouped for further analysis into low and high grade instability groups respectively. Results. 76 patients were included in the study. 62 had scapholunate pathology and 14 had normal arthroscopic examinations of the stability of the joint. A positive test was found in 30% (3) of patients with grade 1 instability, 29% (4) with grade 2, 60% (12) with grade 3 and 78% (14) with grade 4 instability demonstrated at arthroscopy. The test was positive more commonly in those with grade IV instability compared with others (78% vs. 43%; p=0.015). There was a higher number with a negative test in the low grade instability group (71% vs. 32%; p=0.01) and a higher number with a positive test in the high grade instability group (68% vs. 29%; p=0.006). The test was most sensitive (78%) and most specific (57%) for those classified with Geissler grade IV instability and sensitivity and specificity were also high for those with high grade instability (68% and 66% respectively). Conclusions. The Kirk Watson test is a sensitive and specific test for diagnosis of higher grade instability of the scapholunate joint. We found a positive correlation between increasing scapholunate instability when assessed using the Geissler classification and positivity of the test. This confirms that the Kirk Watson test can be a useful test in the assessment of those with symptomatic instability of the joint and may reflect damage not only to the scapholunate ligament but to the secondary stabilisers of the joint as well

INTRODUCTION. The TFCC injuries are usually diagnosed by a coronal MRI. We have described the Float image for the diagnosis of peripheral injuries of the TFCC. In a sagital image parallel to the ulnar diaphysis and placed lateral to the ulnar fovea, we can observe the radiocubital dorsal and volar ligaments of the TFCC. A distance of more than 4mm between the dorsal edge of the meniscus and the joint capsule suggests the presence of TFCC peripheral rupture. METHOD. 51 pacients were selected from all the patients who underwent wrist arthroscopy between 2006–2009. Inclusion criteria: MRI at our hospital, arthroscopy at our hospital, no presence of radial fracture. We assessed the correlation between the presence of the Float image and a TFCC injury confirmed by arthroscopy. RESULTS. The Float image for the diagnosis of peripheral TFCC injuries has a sensibility of 0.929 [0.774 to 0.98] and a specificity of 0,857 [0.654 to 0.95]. PPV: 0.897 [0.736 to 0.964] and NPV: 0.9 [0.699 to 0.972]. CONCLUSIONS. The Float MRI is a high sensibility and specificity method for the diagnosis of peripheral TFCC. The coronal MRI is useful for diagnosing central ruptures but has less sensibility for the peripheral injuries

Background. Jumper's knee is the result of violent and repeated contractions of quadriceps muscle caused by rapid acceleration and deceleration, jumping and kicking that load on patellar tendon stressing its mechanical resistance. The porpose of this retrospective study is to analyze the results, after the debridment of the patellar tendon and the patellar apex abrasion performed by arthroscopy, at a mean follow-up of seven years. Methods. From 1996 to 2006, sixty-four patients (seventy-three knees) affected by jumper's knee underwent surgical tretment after failure of nonoperative treatment. All knees were operated on by the same surgeon using the same surgical technique: arthroscopic debridement of the articular face of patellar tendon and arthroscopic abrasion of patellar apex. Pre-operative and post-operative evaluation was made according to IKDC score, Lysholm Knee Scale and VISA-P score. Results. The pre-operative subjective IKDC score was 52,96. This score significantly increased to 94,72 at 12 months post-operation, and has remained nearly constant at 10 years of follow-up. The mean pre-operative Lysholm Knee Scale was 51,57 and significantly increased to 86,48 at 12 months post-operation again remaining nearly constant at 10 years of follow-up. The score according to VISA-P which was pre-operatively 35,32 increased to 69,80 at 12 months post-operation and was 69,35 at 10 years of follow-up. Nineteen of the twenty-seven patients who were involved in competitive sport continued it at the same level and twenty-four were symptoms-free. Conclusions. For these satisfactory results, for the low aggressivity of this surgery, for the short recovery time and the faster return to sport we think that the debridment of the patellar tendon and the patellar apex abrasion performed by arthroscopy is the technique to prefer for surgical treatment of Jumper's Knee

In a randomised prospective study, 20 patients with intra-articular fractures of the distal radius underwent arthroscopically- and fluoroscopically-assisted reduction and external fixation plus percutaneous pinning. Another group of 20 patients with the same fracture characteristics underwent fluoroscopically-assisted reduction alone and external fixation plus percutaneous pinning. The patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically at follow-up of 24 months. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and modified Mayo wrist score were used at 3, 9, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. In the arthroscopically- and fluoroscopically-assisted group, triangular fibrocartilage complex tears were found in 12 patients (60%), complete or incomplete scapholunate ligament tears in nine (45%), and lunotriquetral ligament tears in four (20%). They were treated either arthroscopically or by open operation. Patients who underwent arthroscopically- and fluoroscopically-assisted treatment had significantly better supination, extension and flexion at all time points than those who had fluoroscopically-assisted surgery. The mean DASH scores were similar for both groups at 24 months, whereas the difference in the mean modified Mayo wrist scores remained statistically significant. Although the groups are small, it is clear that the addition of arthroscopy to the fluoroscopically-assisted treatment of intra-articular distal radius fractures improves the outcome. Better treatment of associated intra-articular injuries might also have been a reason for the improved outcome

The purpose of this study was to validate the usefulness of SPECT/CT as an evaluation method for determining treatment and prognosis for patellofemoral cartilage lesions, based on MRI and arthroscopic findings. From August 2009 to February 2010, SPECT/CT was performed on 80 patients (24 male and 56 female, average 53.3 years old) with chronic anterior knee pain who had no degenerative changes or patellar malalignment on plain radiographs. Radioisotope uptake findings on patellofemoral joint from SPECT/CT were classified into three grades by one nuclear medicine specialist. In the patients who demonstrated poor improvements after conservative treatments, MRI and arthroscopy were performed. Patellofemoral cartilage conditions under arthroscopic finding (ICRS grades) were compared with SPECT/CT grading. In all cases, there were increased uptakes on patellofemoral joints. Eighteen cases showed low uptake (Group 1), 22 cases showed medium uptake (Group 2) and 40 cases high uptake (Group 3). At the follow-up examination after mean 1.7 months, 16 cases of Group 1 (89%), 14 cases of Group 2 (64%) and 28 cases of Groups3 (70%) responded positively to the conservative treatments. For those 22 cases showing poor improvement, MRI and arthroscopy were done. Damage or thinning of patellofemoral cartilage, subchondral cyst, edema and fissuring were observed in every case that underwent MRI. Every arthroscopic case was found that there was patellofemoral cartilage damage. Each of ICRS grade I and grade II was found in 2 cases from Group 1. Two cases of grade II, 4 cases of grade III, and 2 cases of grade IV were found in Group 2. Two cases of grade II, 4 cases of grade III, and 6 cases of grade IV were found in Group 3. There was significant difference in the success rate of conservative treatment between SPECT/CT grade 1 and 2 or 3. And there was significant association between SPECT/CT grade and ICRS grade (P=0.034). SPECT/CT could be a useful modality in determining the treatment and prognosis for patellofemoral cartilage lesions compared with MRI and arthroscopic findings

Shoulder pain or loss of normal range of motion is a frequent complaint in the outpatient clinic. Of these presentations, rotator cuff injury is a common cause. This can range from mild, transient inflammation of the tendons, to partial tears of tendons, or even full thickness tears. Disruption of the tendons can occur from forceful forward throwing actions undertaken in some sports, for example baseball pitching, more commonly in the UK however, chronic impingement can lead eventually to a tendon tear-usually seen in an older population. Current methods of investigation of such injuries after clinical history and examination, includes plain film radiography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and arthrography. We decided to look at how ultrasound can be used in the district general hospital for investigation of such injuries. Aims. To determine the accuracy of ultrasound as an investigative tool for clinically suspected rotator cuff tears. Methods. Seventy-five consecutive ultrasonographic study reports, in patients who subsequently underwent arthroscopic examination, were scrutinised and correlated with surgical findings. From this, sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound at this district general hospital were calculated. In addition, this data was compiled for each of the three Consultant Radiologists in order to assess the operator dependent nature of ultrasound. Results. Of the 74 cases analysed, 43 (58.1%) had full correlation with the arthroscopy findings, 13 (17.6%) had mixed correlation, and 18 cases (24.3%) had no correlation between the ultrasound and arthroscopy report. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound at our institution was 0.76 and 0.8 respectively with regards to a tear being detected at ultrasound and then visualised during surgery. Conclusions. There is no current national guidance as to which imaging modality should be first line following clinical examination. Magnetic resonance arthrography, widely thought of as being the gold standard investigation, is not only expensive and possible only in certain centres, but is also invasive, time consuming, and has many relative contraindications. Ultrasound offers a clinical advantage by allowing the radiologist to speak to the patient and assess their range of motion whilst performing the study. This interaction is lost totally in MRI, CT and even MR arthrography. Our study shows that ultrasonography can be quite accurate in identifying a rotator cuff tear. Although it is operator-dependent, ultrasound should be considered more often as a first-line imaging tool for suspected rotator cuff tears as it is relatively inexpensive, quick, and most importantly dynamic

We have compared the results at a mean follow-up of 13 years (11 to 14) of two groups of supination-external rotation type-4 fractures of the ankle, in one of which there was a fracture of the medial malleolus and in the other the medial deltoid ligament had been partially or completely ruptured. Of 66 patients treated operatively between 1993 and 1997, 36 were available for follow-up. Arthroscopy had been performed in all patients pre-operatively to assess the extent of the intra-articular lesions. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hind-foot score was used for clinical evaluation and showed a significant difference in both the total and the functional scores (p < 0.05), but not in those for pain or alignment, in favour of the group with a damaged deltoid ligament (p < 0.05). The only significant difference between the groups on the short-form 36 quality-of-life score was for bodily pain, again in favour of the group with a damaged deltoid ligament. There was no significant difference between the groups in the subjective visual analogue scores or in the modified Kannus radiological score. Arthroscopically, there was a significant difference with an increased risk of loose bodies in the group with an intact deltoid ligament (p < 0.005), although there was no significant increased risk of deep cartilage lesions in the two groups. At a mean follow-up of 13 years after operative treatment of a supination-external rotation type-4 ankle fracture patients with partial or complete rupture of the medial deltoid ligament tended to have a better result than those with a medial malleolar fracture

Background. The usefulness of arthroscopic reduction for the intra-articular fracture of the distal radius has been reported, although it is technically difficult. Hypothesis. Our hypothesis is that the reduction using the external fixator is useful as equivalent to the arthroscopic reduction for the intra-articular fracture of the distal radius fracture in the fixation with the volar locking plate. Materials & Methods. The surgery was performed in both methods randomly for 40 patients; average age 64(24 to 92) years, 11 male, 29 female. Image evaluations were performed at 24 weeks after surgery. Ulnar variance, Radial inclination, Volar tilt in the X-ray image, and gap and step in the computed tomogram were evaluated. Clinical evaluation was performed at 6, 12, 24 weeks after surgery. Objective evaluations were ranges of motion and grip strength. Subjective evaluations were disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH). Results. The results of image and objective evaluation had no significant difference between the two groups. DASH in arthroscopic group was significantly inferior at 24 weeks because of minor complications. Discussion & Conclusion. The external fixator and the arthroscopy are equally valuable in reduction of articular surface

INTRODUCTION. Scapholunate instability is a common form of carpal instability and Brunelli procedure has been advocated as a surgical intervention for this difficult problem. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Twenty five patients with clinical and radiological diagnosis of scapholunate dissociation were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 37 years. All the patients were treated by modified Brunelli procedure, with the flexor carpi radialis tendon being passed through a drill hole in scaphoid and sutured to radiotriquetral ligament. All patients had a wrist arthroscopy prior to the index procedure and associated injuries recorded. The average postoperative follow up for the patients was 60 months. RESULTS. Patient rated wrist evaluation score improved from an average of preoperative score of 108 to a postoperative score of 33.8. The hand grip strength improved in 22 out of 25 patients. 21 (84%) patients were satisfied with the procedure and would undergo the operation again if required. CONCLUSION. This case series reaffirms the current literature regarding efficacy of modified Brunelli procedure in scapholunate instability. Early and midterm results suggest this procedure to be a useful option in carefully selected patients group

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a significant cause of osteoarthritis in young active individuals but the pathophysiology remains unclear. Increasing mechanistic studies point toward an inflammatory component in OA. This study aimed to characterise inflammatory cell subtypes in FAI by exploring the phenotype and quantification of inflammatory cells in FAI versus OA samples. Ten samples of labrum were obtained from patients with FAI (confirmed pathology) during open osteochondroplasty or hip arthroscopy. Control samples of labrum were collected from five patients with osteoarthritis undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Labral biopsies were evaluated immunohistochemically by quantifying the presence of macrophages (CD68 and CD202), T cells (CD3), mast cells (mast cell tryptase) and vascular endothelium (CD34). Labral biopsies obtained from patients with FAI exhibited significantly greater macrophage, mast cell and vascular endothelium expression compared to control samples. The most significant difference was noted in macrophage expression (p<0.01). Further sub typing of macrophages in FAI using CD202 tissue marker revealed and M2 phenotype suggesting that these cells are involved in a regenerate versus a degenerate process. There was a modest but significant correlation between mast cells and CD34 expression (r=0.4, p<0.05) in FAI samples. We provide evidence for an inflammatory cell infiltrate in femoroacetabular impingement. In particular, we demonstrate significant infiltration of mast cells and macrophages suggesting a role for innate immune pathways in the events that mediate hip impingement. Further mechanistic studies to evaluate the net contribution and hence therapeutic utility of these cellular lineages and their downstream processes may reveal novel therapeutic approaches to the management of early hip impingement