Arthroscopic Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement in Young Taekwondo Players / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the clinical results and the radiological and arthroscopic findings of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in young Taekwondo players and to investigate the rate of returning-to-play Taekwondo and the recurrence rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty Taekwondo players (16 males and, 4 females) who were arthroscopically treated for FAI from September 2003 to July 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Their mean age was 21.6 years old (range 17 to 32 years) and the mean follow up was 33.7 months (range 24 to 71 months). Plain radiographs and 3 dimensional computed tomography were taken in all patients and magnetic resonance arthrography was performed in 11 with suspicious soft tissue lesions. Labral injury, cartilage injury and associated lesions were evaluated by arthroscopy. The preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), the modified Harris hip score (MHHS), the sports frequency score (SFS), and the non-arthritic hip score (NAHS) were compared. We investigated the rate of returning-to-play at postoperative 1 year and at postoperative 2 years and the recurrence rate within 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: There were 10 cam types, 1 pincer type and 9 mixed types. The mean alpha angle improved from 65.8 degrees preoperatively to 43.2 degrees postoperatively (p<0.001). Acetabular labral tears were accompanied in all cases and the most common tear site and type were at 2 o'clock and degenerative tear, respectively. In descending order, the acetabular cartilage injuries were located in the anterosuperior, posteroinferior and anterior portion, respectively. The femoral cartilage injuries were mostly located in the anterosuperior portion. The range of motion at the final follow-up showed improvement in all except abduction (p=0.262). The VAS, MHHS and SFS showed statistically significant improvement (p<0.001). The NAHS was improved, but without statistical significance (p=0.31). The rates of returning-to-play at postoperative 1 year and postoperative 2 years were 85% (17/20) and 75% (15/20), respectively. The recurrence rate within postoperative 2 years was 15% (3/20). CONCLUSION: As screening test for FAI in young Taekwondo players is necessary at the beginning of Taekwondo. Arthroscopic treatment in symptomatic Taekwondo players is an effective procedure that can improve the postoperative exercise frequency and function. Returning-to-play Taekwondo is associated with the clinical improvements and the patients' will.