Posterior extraarticular ischiofemoral hip impingement can be caused by high femoral torsion and is typically located between the ischium and the lesser trochanter. We asked if patients undergoing derotational femoral osteotomies for posterior FAI have (1) decreased hip pain and improved function and evaluated (2) subsequent surgeries and complications?

Thirty-three hips undergoing derotational femoral osteotomies between 2005 and 2016 were evaluated retrospectively. Of them 15 hips underwent derotational femoral osteotomies and 18 hips underwent derotational femoral osteotomies combined with varisation (neck-shaft angle >139°). Indication for derotational osteotomies was a positive posterior impingement test in extension and external rotation, high femoral torsion (48° ± 9) on CT scans and limited external rotation. Offset improvement was performed to avoid intraarticular impingement in hips with a cam-type FAI. All patients were female and mean followup was 3 ± 2 (1 – 11) years.

At latest followup the positive posterior and anterior impingement test decreased from preoperatively 100% to 5% (p< 0.001) and from preoperatively 85% to 30% (p< 0.001). The mean Merle d'Aubigné Postel score increased from 14 ± 1 (11 – 16) to 16 ± 1 (13 – 17) at latest followup (p< 0.001). At followup 32/33 hips had been preserved and one hip had been converted to a total hip arthroplasty (THA). In two hips (6%) revision osteosynthesis was performed for delayed healing of the femoral osteotomy.

Derotational femoral osteotomies for the treatment of posterior extraarticular ischiofemoral impingement caused by high femoral torsion result in decreased hip pain and improved function at midterm followup but had 6% delayed healing rate requiring revision surgery.