Ligamentum Teres Injuries of the Hip / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify functions of ligamentum teres during multi-planar movement of the hip joint and to evaluate the correlation between arthroscopic findings and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of ligamentum teres rupture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With four fresh-frozen cadavers that were dissected for removal of all soft tissue from around the hip, leaving only the ligamentum teres intact, tension of ligamentum teres at each position of the hip during multiplanar movement of the hip joint was identified. Among patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment for hip joint lesion from June 2006 to December 2012, arthroscopic findings of 26 patients who showed ligamentum teres rupture on arthroscopy were compared retrospectively with finding of preoperative MRI and visual analogue scale pain score and modified Harris hip score preoperatively and at final follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: The ligamentum teres was maximal taut at flexion with external rotation. Ligamentum teres rupture was suspected according to preoperative MRI in 20 cases (76.9%). All cases underwent arthroscopic debridement and thermal shrinkage for the ruptured ligamentum teres. At final follow-up, visual analogue scale pain score and modified Harris hip score had improved from 6.1 (4-9) and 63.7 (36.3-86.9) to 2.0 (0-5) and 88.4 (72.6-100), respectively (all p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The ligamentum teres is maximal taut at flexion with external rotation and contributes to internal stability. Ruptured ligamentum teres should be treated by arthroscopic debridement and thermal shrinkage.