Medial hip arthroscopy portals: a novel approach for hip pathologies. Is it feasible?

PURPOSE: To report 3 patients operated on using medial hip arthroscopic portals, describe the surgical technique and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Three medial portals were made, the first one at the posterior edge of the adductor longus muscle (posterior medial portal), the second one at the anterior (anterior medial portal) and the third at the posterior border of the adductor longus, 5 cm distal to the inguinal crease (distal posterior medial portal). The first case was an 8-year-old boy with a lytic lesion at the posteromedial region of the femoral neck suggestive of sub-acute osteomyelitis. The second patient was a 21-year-old male with a posteromedial femoral neck nidus. The third patient was a 42-year-old male with a posteromedial femoral neck cystic lesion. CONCLUSIONS: The described portals allowed successful access to posteromedial femoral neck. There were no neurovascular lesions, infection, femoral head osteonecrosis, skin retraction or functional limitation related to the portals.

Arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement: minimum five-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of an arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement at a minimum of a five-year follow-up. METHODS: A case series with 24 subjects (26 hips) was conducted. Subjects that were submitted to an arthroscopic procedure for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement, at a minimum of five years, were evaluated. Subjects completed the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), the pain numeric rating scale and a general questionnaire accessing sports practice and satisfaction. RESULTS: Twenty-one of the 24 subjects (87.5%) were male and the average age at the time of surgery was 34.6 ± 9.5 years old (range 13-51). Of the 27 subjects submitted to hip arthroscopy, three (11.1%) could not be contacted. Follow-up was 6.1 ± 0.8 years, and at this time the average mHHS was 90.6 ± 11.6. Pain numeric rating scale was 2.6 ± 1.9 and 11 hips (42.3%) reported no pain. Of the 14 subjects that complained of hip pain during sports activities prior to surgery, 10 (71.4%) returned to normal sports activities while four (28.6%) subjects could not return to preoperative activities. Three patients had to be submitted to a new surgical procedure. All 24 subjects were satisfied with their procedure and would repeat it if necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement, at five years follow-up, revealed good results in terms of improved function, pain relief and satisfaction.

Medial hip arthroscopy portals: an anatomic study.

PURPOSE: The main objective of this study was to investigate medial hip portals and evaluate their relation with anatomic structures in a cadaveric model. METHODS: Placement of 3 medial arthroscopic portals was simulated in 10 fresh human paired cadaveric hip specimens by placing Steinmann pins into the joint under fluoroscopic control. Two portals were made at the groin, 1 anterior and 1 posterior to the adductor longus muscle, and the third portal was placed posterior to the adductor longus muscle, 5 cm distal to the groin. The specimens were then dissected, and the relation of the portals to the following structures was recorded: pectineus, adductor longus, gracilis, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, iliopsoas tendon, obturator nerve, femoral nerve, femoral artery, femoral vein, and profunda femoris artery. RESULTS: Regarding the anteromedial portal, the closest neurovascular structure was the profunda femoris artery, which was 10.4 ± 2.7 mm (range, 6 to 14 mm) distal to the portal. Regarding the posteromedial portal, the nearest neurovascular structure was the obturator nerve, which was 6.0 ± 3.6 mm (range, 2 to 13 mm) posterior to the portal. Regarding the distal posteromedial portal, the nearest neurovascular structures were the obturator nerve, which was 4.6 ± 3.0 mm (range, 1 to 9 mm) distal to the portal, and the profunda femoris artery, which was 10.5 ± 3.9 mm (range, 6 to 17 mm) distal to the portal. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the medial portals did not cause any damage to the neurovascular structures evaluated. Despite this, the portals are in close relation to the obturator nerve and profunda femoris, and care should be taken. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study investigated 3 medial hip portals in a cadaveric model and also defined safety parameters for this approach. Medial hip portals may be useful to directly approach medial hip pathologies.

Surgical technique: Endoscopic gluteus maximus tendon release for external snapping hip syndrome.

BACKGROUND: While many authors have recommended surgery for patients with persistent symptoms of external snapping hip, it is unclear which one best relieves symptoms. Concerns with iliotibial band (ITB)-modifying techniques include altering the shape of the lateral thigh and overload of the contralateral abduction mechanism. We describe a new endoscopic technique that decreases the tension of the ITB complex by releasing the femoral insertion of the gluteus maximus tendon (GMT). DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUE: Via an endoscopic approach, we tenotomize the GMT near its insertion at the linea aspera through two trochanteric portals, developing a space beneath the ITB. METHODS: We reviewed eight patients (nine hips) with external snapping hip nonresponsive to nonoperative treatment treated by endoscopic GMT release. There were seven women (one bilateral) and one man, with a mean ± SD age of 35 ± 13.1 years (range, 18-55 years). Mean symptom duration was 36 ± 20.3 months (range, 16-84 months). Minimum followup was 22 months (mean, 32 ± 9.3 months; range, 22-45 months). RESULTS: Snapping and pain resolved in seven patients after the initial procedure. We performed one revision procedure with complete relief of symptoms. All eight patients returned to their previous level of activity. Average modified Harris hip score was 61 points (range, 45-70 points) preoperatively and 78 points (range, 62-93 points) at latest followup. We observed no neurovascular complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our small series suggests endoscopic release of the GMT resolves pain and snapping symptoms in most patients.

Tratamento artroscópico do impacto femoroacetabular / Arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement

OBJETIVOS: O propósito deste estudo é avaliar os resultados em curto prazo do tratamento artroscópico do impacto femoroacetabular. A hipótese é a de que os resultados do tratamento artroscópico são favoráveis. MÉTODOS: Entre agosto de 2003 e agosto de 2007, 28 quadris foram submetidos ao tratamento do impacto femoroacetabular pela via artroscópica. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 34 anos, com média de seguimento de 27 meses. Quanto à melhora clínica, os pacientes foram avaliados pré e pósoperatoriamente pelo Harris Hip Score (HHS) modificado por Byrd. Os pacientes foram avaliados pré e pós-operatoriamente em relação à rotação interna do quadril acometido. Os valores obtidos nos índices acima foram analisados estatisticamente através do método de Wilcoxon para a avaliação de variáveis não paramétricas. RESULTADOS: O Harris Hip Score médio pré-operatório foi de 54,2 e o pós-operatório, de 94,8 (p < 0,001). O aumento médio do HHS foi de 37,5 pontos. Houve quatro resultados bons (15 por cento) e 24 excelentes (85 por cento). Pré-operatoriamente os pacientes apresentavam rotação interna do quadril média de 17º e pós-operatoriamente, de 36º. O aumento médio de rotação interna foi de 19º (p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento artroscópico do impacto femoroacetabular tem resultados satisfatórios.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short-term follow-up results of arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement. Our hypothesis is that arthroscopic treatment results are favorable. METHODS: Between August 2003 and August 2007, 28 hips had femoroacetabular impingement treated by hip arthroscopy. The mean age was 34 years, with mean follow-up period of 27 months. Clinical results were graded with the modified Harris hip score, which was measured pre-and postoperatively. Patients had also their internal rotation analyzed. These parameters were calculated by using Wilcoxon's t test for analysis of nonparametric paired samples performed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Harris Hip Score was 54.2, improving to 94.8 postoperatively (p<0,001). The mean increase was 37.5 points. We had 4 good results (15 percent) and 24 excellent results (85 percent). Preoperatively, the patients had a mean internal rotation of 17º, and, postoperatively, 36º. The average internal rotation increase was 19º (p<0,001). CONCLUSIONS: The arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement presents satisfactory results.

ARTHROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF FEMOROACETABULAR IMPINGEMENT.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short-term follow-up results of arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement. Our hypothesis is that arthroscopic treatment results are favorable. METHODS: Between August 2003 and August 2007, 28 hips had femoroacetabular impingement treated by hip arthroscopy. The mean age was 34 years, with mean follow-up period of 27 months. Clinical results were graded with the modified Harris hip score, which was measured pre- and postoperatively. Patients had also their internal rotation analyzed. These parameters were calculated by using Wilcoxon's t test for analysis of nonparametric paired samples performed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Harris Hip Score was 54.2, improving to 94.8 postoperatively (p<0,001). The mean increase was 37.5 points. We had 4 good results (15%) and 24 excellent results (85%). Preoperatively, the patients had a mean internal rotation of 17°, and, postoperatively, 36°. The average internal rotation increase was 19° (p<0,001). CONCLUSIONS: The arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement presents satisfactory results.