ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the cause of sustained symptoms after previous hip arthroscopy through second-look hip arthroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 243 cases of acetabular labrectomy performed in our hospital from 1995 to 2007, we selected for review 9 cases, that had possible follow-up of more than 12 months with second-look hip arthroscopy. The male to female ratio was 3:6, the mean age was 32.2 years, and the mean follow-up period was 19.9 months. We evaluated the cause of sustained symptoms by comparing previous radiographs and second-look arthroscopic findings, and compared the pre-second-look and post-second-look state through physical examination, using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) pain score. RESULTS: We performed additional osteoplasty or chondroplasty in 6 cases of femoroacetabular impingement, that were due to previously insufficient arthroscopic treatment. Second-look hip arthroscopy revealed 6 cases with labral adhesions, 4 with synovial hypertrophy, 4 with a remnant labral tear, and 1 with a posterior periacetabular cyst. We did a procedure to release the labral adhesion, a synovectomy for the synovial hypertrophy, a labrectomy for the remnant labral tear and a cystectomy for the periacetabular cyst. Secondary arthroscopic treatment showed a post-operative improvement in the range of motion, in 5 cases and the JOA pain score increased improved from 0 to 2, indicating less pain, in all 9 cases. CONCLUSION: The most common cause of a second-look hip arthroscopy is post-operative, sustained femoroacetabular impingement and insufficient labrectomy and labral adhesion. To prevent failure of the arthroscopic treatment, adequate osteoplasty for femoroacetabular impingement, accurate labrectomy for labral tears and constructive rehabilitation treatment for preventing post-operative labral adhesion are recommended.