The aim of this review is to evaluate the current
available literature evidencing on peri-articular hip endoscopy
(the third compartment). A comprehensive approach has been set on
reports dealing with endoscopic surgery for recalcitrant trochanteric
bursitis, snapping hip (or coxa-saltans; external and internal),
gluteus medius and minimus tears and
Over recent years hip arthroscopic surgery has
evolved into one of the most rapidly expanding fields in orthopaedic surgery.
Complications are largely transient and incidences between 0.5%
and 6.4% have been reported. However, major complications can and
do occur. This article analyses the reported complications and makes recommendations
based on the literature review and personal experience on how to
minimise them.
There is a known association between femoroacetabular impingement and osteoarthritis of the hip. What is not known is whether arthroscopic excision of an impingement lesion can significantly improve a patient’s symptoms. This study compares the results of hip arthroscopy for cam-type femoracetabular impingement in two groups of patients at one year. The study group comprised 24 patients (24 hips) with cam-type femoroacetabular impingement who underwent arthroscopic debridement with excision of their impingement lesion (osteoplasty). The control group comprised 47 patients (47 hips) who had arthroscopic debridement without excision of the impingement lesion. In both groups, the presence of femoroacetabular impingement was confirmed on pre-operative plain radiographs. The modified Harris hip score was used for evaluation pre-operatively and at one-year. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis. A tendency towards a higher median post-operative modified Harris hip score was observed in the study group compared with the control group (83 vs 77, p = 0.11). There was a significantly higher proportion of patients in the osteoplasty group with excellent/good results compared with the controls (83% vs 60%, p = 0.043). Additional symptomatic improvement may be obtained after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement by the inclusion of femoral osteoplasty.
We carried out a retrospective cohort study of 3309 patients undergoing primary total hip replacement to examine the impact of tobacco use and body mass index on the length of stay in hospital and the risk of short term post-operative complications. Heavy tobacco use was associated with an increased risk of systemic post-operative complications (p = 0.004). Previous and current smokers had a 43% and 56% increased risk of systemic complications, respectively, when compared with non-smokers. In heavy smokers, the risk increased by 121%. A high body mass index was significantly associated with an increased mean length of stay in hospital of between 4.7% and 7%. The risk of systemic complications was increased by 58% in the obese. Smoking and body mass index were not significantly related to the development of local complications. Greater efforts should be taken to reduce the impact of preventable life style factors, such as smoking and high body mass index, on the post-operative course of total hip replacement.