Hip Disorders in Bull Riders: Clinical Observations and Outcomes of Arthroscopy.

Bull riders represent a microcosm of athletes in whom severe consequences of femoroacetabular impingement may challenge the limits of arthroscopic intervention. Observations of this cohort may provide meaningful insight into the treatment of other populations. All patients undergoing hip arthroscopy are prospectively assessed with a modified Harris Hip Score. Sixteen consecutive bull riders (21 hips) with minimum 2-year follow-up are reported. The average age was 26 years, duration of symptoms was 33 months, and follow-up was 57 months. Arc of rotational hip motion averaged 31°. All had femoroacetabular impingement (17 combined and 4 cam impingements). Among the cam impingements, 1 also had dysplasia and 1 also had borderline dysplasia. Radiographic Tönnis grades were as follows: 2 Tönnis 1; 18 Tönnis 2; and 1 Tönnis 3. All had acetabular articular damage (14 Outerbridge grade 4; 6 Outerbridge grade 3; and 1 Outerbridge grade 1). Nine underwent microfracture. Four had accompanying femoral chondral lesions (3 grade 3; 1 grade 4). There were 20 labral tears (14 repaired and 6 debrided). All but 1 (95%) improved after surgery. One bilateral case underwent conversion to resurfacing arthroplasty on one side and revision arthroscopy on the other. The average improvement was 21.3 points. Thirteen (81.25%) returned to bull riding at an average of 7 months. Among the 3 who did not return, each had undergone bilateral procedures. There were no complications. Femoroacetabular impingement can be a significant problem among bull riders. Limited range of motion, grade 4 articular damage, and Tönnis 2 radiographic changes may not preclude successful arthroscopic treatment, but advanced bilateral disease may be too much even for these hardened athletes. [Orthopedics. 2024;47(2):79-82.].

Endoscopic Hip Abductor Tendon Repair Results in Successful Outcomes With 5- to 10-Year Follow-up.

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of endoscopic repair in a consecutive series of patients with follow-up ranging from 5 to 10 years. METHODS: Sixty-five consecutive hips in 63 patients (2 bilateral) undergoing endoscopic abductor tendon repair with minimum 5-year follow-up were assessed with the modified Harris Hip Score. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was determined as one-half the standard deviation of the amount of improvement. RESULTS: The mean age was 56.6 years (standard deviation [SD], 11.3 years), with 58 female and 5 male patients. Follow-up was obtained on 64 hips (98.5%) at a mean of 85 months (SD, 15.7 months). There were 33 full-thickness and 32 partial-thickness tears, with 40 gluteus medius tears, 23 medius and minimus tears, and 2 isolated minimus tears. Concomitant arthroscopy of the hip joint was performed in 50 patients (52 hips), including 15 with correction of femoroacetabular impingement. The mean modified Harris Hip Score was 48.4 (SD, 15.7) preoperatively and 83.4 (SD, 15.9) postoperatively, reflecting a mean improvement of 34.9 (95% confidence interval, 34.9 ± 4.3), with 92.2% of patients achieving the MCID of 8.7. There were no complications. Three patients underwent further surgery: One underwent total hip replacement at 11 months after abductor repair, one underwent repeated arthroscopy for joint debridement at 12 months after repair, and one underwent revision abductor repair at 6 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, with 5- to 10-year follow-up, patients undergoing endoscopic abductor tendon repair can respond exceptionally well, with 92.2% achieving the MCID, even among a heterogeneous group of partial- and full-thickness tears with single- and 2-tendon involvement undergoing single- and double-row repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Labral Ossification and Sacroiliac Joint Disease: Could There Be a Link to an Autoimmune Etiology?

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of ipsilateral sacroiliac (SI) joint disease among patients with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) associated with labral ossification (LO) who underwent hip arthroscopy compared with a matched control group of patients with symptomatic FAI and no LO. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) scans of all patients undergoing arthroscopic correction of FAI were obtained. The inclusion criterion for the study group was a diagnosis of FAI with a secondary diagnosis of LO made by plain radiography, CT, or magnetic resonance imaging or made intraoperatively. The exclusion criterion was the absence of evidence of LO. We reviewed 52 patients (56 hips) with LO to assess the SI joint and compared them with a control group matched by age, sex, and FAI type. The SI joints were graded according to the modified New York criteria. RESULTS: CT scans were available for evaluation of the ipsilateral SI joint in 28 patients (29 hips) with LO: 17 women and 11 men with an average age of 44.6 years (range, 26-56 years). Of the hips, 23 had combined FAI and 6 had pincer-type FAI. The control group consisted of 29 hips, exactly matched for sex and FAI type, with an average age of 44.8 years (range, 21-58 years). Grade 3 SI joint abnormalities were significantly more prevalent in the LO group (28%) than in the control group (7%, P = .037), and grade 0 or 1 changes (relatively normal SI joints) were significantly less common in patients with LO (38%) than in controls (72%, P = .008). Subanalysis showed that 35% of the LO group aged 45 years or younger had ipsilateral grade 3 SI joint abnormalities compared with none of the control patients aged 45 years or younger (P = .041). Grade 3 changes were found in 42% of male patients with LO compared with 8% of male controls (P = .155). Grade 3 changes were noted in 18% of women in the LO group compared with 6% of female controls (P = .601). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with symptomatic FAI and LO are more likely to show associated SI joint pathology than patients with FAI not involving LO. These differences are greatest among men and among patients aged 45 years or younger. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective case-control study.

Arthroscopic Acetabular Labral Repair in Patients Over the Age of 60 Years: A Matched Case-Control Study.

PURPOSE: To report the results of labral repair in a population of patients older than 60 years and compare these with a matched population of younger adults. METHODS: We compared 21 consecutive patients older than 60 years undergoing labral repair with minimum 1-year follow-up with a contemporaneous group of 21 patients aged 18 to 55 years matched for sex, degree of chondral damage, and associated femoroacetabular impingement or dysplasia. RESULTS: Follow-up averaged 18.9 months (range, 12-24 months). The average age in the study group was 63.2 years (range, 61-71 years), and 20 patients had femoroacetabular impingement whereas 1 had dysplasia. Of these patients, 19 had acetabular articular damage (grade IV in 2, grade III in 11, grade II in 5, and grade I in 1) and 6 had femoral changes (grade IV in 1 and grade III in 5). The average age in the control group was 35.8 years (range, 20-54 years). We found average improvements of 28.1 points for the modified Harris Hip Score and 37.5 points for the International Hip Outcome Tool score within the study group and 21.2 points for the modified Harris Hip Score and 37.1 points for the International Hip Outcome Tool score within the control group. No statistically significant difference between the 2 groups was noted in the amount of improvement, with statistically and clinically significant improvements noted in both. Two study group patients underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) at an average of 10 months, with 1 control group THA at 11 months. All 3 patients with conversion to THA had combined grade IV acetabular and grade III femoral damage. No repeated arthroscopies were performed and no complications occurred in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients older than 60 years can benefit from arthroscopic labral repair with improved outcomes, a modest rate of conversion to THA, and a small risk of complications. The results are comparable to those of younger adults. Combined bipolar grade IV and grade III articular damage may be a harbinger of conversion to THA regardless of age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, comparative therapeutic trial.

Influence of Tönnis grade on outcomes of arthroscopy for FAI in athletes: a comparative analysis.

Based on a previously reported study, it is hypothesized that Tönnis 2 changes may not be a harbinger of poor results. The purpose is to report outcomes comparing Tönnis 2 changes to those with Tönnis 0&1 changes. Previously published outcomes (modified Harris Hip Score and return to sport) among 200 consecutive athletes undergoing arthroscopic correction of femoroacetabular impingement with minimum 1-year follow-up were correlated with the Tönnis grade. Independent variables of gender and age were also evaluated. Average age was 28.6 years (range 11-60), with 148 males and 52 females. The average improvement was Tönnis 0 23.1 points (n = 37), Tönnis 1 20.6 points (n = 113) and Tönnis 2 16.4 points (n = 48). A trend (P = 0.055) towards lower scores with increasing Tönnis grade was not statistically significant. There was both statistically (P < 0.01) and clinically (>8 patients) significant improvement across all Tönnis grades, and there was no statistically significant difference between Tönnis 0 and 1 compared with Tönnis 2 (P = 0.078). The percent that returned to sport was as follows: Tönnis 0 95%, Tönnis 1 92% and Tönnis 2 85%. A trend (P = 0.098) towards lower rates of return to sport with increasing Tönnis grade was not statistically significant, and there was no statistically significant difference between Tönnis 0 and 1 compared with Tönnis 2. Within each grade, there was no correlation with age, such that increasing age did not reflect lower scores. There was also no correlation with gender. Statistically and clinically successful outcomes can be encountered among athletes with Tönnis 2 radiographic features.

Influence of Tönnis Grade on Outcomes of Arthroscopic Management of Symptomatic Femoroacetabular Impingement.

PURPOSE: To define the outcomes of arthroscopic correction of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) based on Tönnis findings within a previously reported patient population, including a comparative analysis of Tönnis grade 0 and 1 versus grade 2 changes. METHODS: Outcomes (modified Harris Hip Score [mHHS]) of a previously published study of arthroscopic correction of FAI were correlated with Tönnis grade. The inclusion criteria were the first 100 consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopic FAI correction with minimum 2-year follow-up. These procedures were performed between December 2003 and May 2006. Grades were determined independently by 2 experienced clinicians. Tönnis grades 0 and 1 were compared with Tönnis grade 2. Independent variables of sex and age were also evaluated. RESULTS: The average age of the entire group was 34.7 years (range, 13-76 years), with 66 male and 34 female patients. Of the patients, 17 had Tönnis grade 0, 49 had Tönnis grade 1, 29 had Tönnis grade 2, and 4 had Tönnis grade 3 (1 unknown). The average mHHS improvement for Tönnis grade 0 was 20.6 points; Tönnis grade 1, 22.2 points; Tönnis grade 2, 14.9 points; and Tönnis grade 3, 18.8 points. The improvement was statistically (P < .01) and clinically (>8 points) significant across all Tönnis grades. There was no difference (P = .077) between Tönnis grades 0 and 1 (21.8 points) versus grade 2 (14.9 points). There was no difference based on sex or age. CONCLUSIONS: These data support that statistically and clinically meaningful successful patient-reported outcomes (mHHS) at 2 years can be encountered even in the presence of Tönnis grade 2 radiographic features. Neither age nor sex was an indicator of poorer results within similar Tönnis grades. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control study.

Acetabular All-Suture Anchor for Labral Repair: Incidence of Intraoperative Failure due to Pullout.

PURPOSE: To report on the incidence and features of intraoperative anchor pullout in a consecutive series of patients undergoing arthroscopic labral repair of the hip. METHODS: Over an 18-month period, 434 consecutive cases underwent labral repair by a single surgeon with a particular anchor system. The following data were recorded: (1) age and gender of all cases; (2) number of anchors used; (3) number of cases in which intraoperative anchor failure occurred; (4) number of anchors that failed; and (5) age and gender of those cases in which anchor failure occurred. Failures were reported for 3-month intervals. One patient underwent repair with an alternative anchor system during this time period and was excluded. RESULTS: Mean age was 34.2 (14-71) years with 180 males and 254 females. A total of 2,007 anchors were used, averaging 4.6 per case (1-8). Thirty-three anchors pulled out among 30 patients, representing a 1.6% incidence among all anchors. Mean age among pullouts was 37.8 (17-54) years with 11 males and 19 females. There was no difference compared with patient population in which no anchor pulled: mean 33.9 (14-71) years (P = .085) with 169 males and 235 females (P = .578). Pullouts were evenly distributed over the 3-month intervals (4, 4, 6, 6, 5, 8). Pullout was mostly due to failure to securely imbed the anchor in bone. Only 2 were known to pull out in the presence of being securely seated in bone. CONCLUSIONS: These data support that the security of this particular all-suture anchor at implantation is exceptionally reliable for a single experienced surgeon, and there is no demonstrable learning curve. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective review of a case series.

Revision hip arthroscopy: findings and outcomes.

The purpose of this study is to report on the operative findings and the outcomes of revision hip arthroscopy. All hip arthroscopy cases are prospectively assessed with a modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) preoperatively and postoperatively. This study consists of 190 consecutive hips (186 patients) who underwent revision arthroscopy with minimum 2-year follow-up. There were 69 males and 117 females with a mean age of 32.7 (14-64). The mean time from index to revision procedure was 24.5 months (3-146). Common diagnoses included labral tears (102) and unaddressed or residual femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) (49 cam, 11 pincer, and 20 combined). In addition to FAI correction, there were 82 labral debridements, 28 repairs/refixations, and 6 excisions of labral calcifications. Ninety-three underwent various amounts of synovectomy and 21 underwent iliopsoas release/debridement. At a mean follow-up of 46.9 months, 84.5% of patients reported symptomatic improvement. Twenty patients underwent subsequent surgery at mean of 51 months (11 repeat arthroscopy and 9 THA). Among 166 patients who had no further surgery, the mHHS had improved 27.1.8 points from a preoperative mean of 54.5 to 81.6. Patients who underwent treatment of FAI demonstrated a mean mHHS improvement of 25.7 points. Complications included two cases of transient pudendal neurapraxia, one case of transient quadriceps weakness, one case of retroperitoneal extravasation, and one case of perioperative myocardial infarction. In conclusion, for properly selected patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms following previous hip arthroscopy, revision surgery can result in favorable outcomes with an acceptably low complication rate.

Hip dysplasia in wrestlers: three lessons learned.

Hip problems due to dysplasia are commonly associated with female athletes in sports demanding supraphysiologic motion, such as ballet, gymnastics and figure skating. However, hip problems are rarely mentioned among wrestlers, a male sport in which flexibility is advantageous. Dysplasia may have a mostly unrecognized prevalence among wrestlers that can lead to problems and benefit from reorientation periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). Study design in this research is Level 4 evidence case reports. Three consecutive intercollegiate wrestlers ages 20, 21 and 22 years underwent PAO for dysplasia and are reported. Two underwent concomitant arthroscopy. Each returned successfully to intercollegiate wrestling at 6, 8 and 11 months. There were no complications. This work concludes that dysplasia has an unknown but mostly unrecognized prevalence among wrestlers. With proper recognition and treatment with PAO, there is a reasonable expectation that they could return to wrestling.

Endoscopic repair of hip abductor tears: outcomes with two-year follow-up.

Abductor lesions are increasingly recognized as a source of recalcitrant laterally based hip pain and dysfunction. There is a growing body of evidence that many of these may be amenable to endoscopic repair. To report the demographic data and outcomes of endoscopic hip abductor repair. Twelve patients underwent endoscopic abductor repair with 2-year follow-up. These patients were prospectively assessed with modified Harris hip and iHOT scores. The indications for surgery were clinical and MRI findings of symptomatic abductor tears that had failed conservative treatment. All patients underwent concomitant or prior arthroscopy of the joint. Repair was performed with suture anchors using an iliotibial band-sparing endoscopic technique; followed by a 4-month structured rehabilitation protocol. Follow-up was obtained on all patients at 24 months. The average age was 56 years (range 39-77 years). These were all females. All demonstrated improved modified Harris hip scores, averaging 43 points (preop 42; postop 85). Eleven of 12 (92%) demonstrated improved iHOT scores, averaging 52 points (preop 21; postop 73). Ten patients had accompanying intra-articular pathology including 10 labral tears, 7 chondral lesions, 6 synovitis and 1 pincer impingement. There were no complications, and none underwent further surgery. Abductor tears of the hip can be clinically relevant and respond well to endoscopic repair. This tends to be a disorder of older females who present with severe disability, reflected by low preoperative modified Harris hip scores, and demonstrate significant, although incomplete, improvement.

Hip arthroscopy: a report on a cohort of orthopaedic surgeons.

Successful hip arthroscopy depends on proper patient selection and reasonable patient expectations. The purpose of this study is to report the results of hip arthroscopy in orthopaedic surgeons who represent the most informed cohort. This report is based on a retrospective review of prospectively collected data among 24 orthopaedic surgeons (1 bilateral). Follow-up averaged 48 months (range 12-120 months). They were all males with an average age of 45 years (range 30-64 years). All improved with an average of 18 points (preoperative 75; post-operative 93); although one underwent repeat arthroscopy and one was converted to total hip arthroplasty at 54 months. There were numerous diagnoses and procedures performed and one complication (acute coronary artery occlusion). They resumed seeing patients at an average of 1.6 weeks (range 2 days-4 weeks) and operating at an average of 3.1 weeks (range 6 days-8 weeks). This report spans three decades, thus representing a heterogeneous population in terms of diagnoses and treatment. Nonetheless, successful results are noted. As a cohort, orthopaedic surgeons possess the greatest insight into hip arthroscopy, but as patients, often they must modulate their expectations in order to match the understanding of the realities of the procedure.

Femoroacetabular Impingement in Adolescent Athletes: Outcomes of Arthroscopic Management.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent athletes with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) may respond well to arthroscopic intervention. PURPOSE: This study reports the outcomes of arthroscopic treatment for symptomatic FAI in adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Included in this study were 104 consecutive athletes (116 hips) younger than 18 years who underwent arthroscopic correction of symptomatic FAI with a minimum 2-year follow-up. All patients were prospectively assessed with the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). Pincer lesions were defined by acetabular overcoverage or retroversion with an accompanying labral injury, and cam lesions were defined by loss of sphericity of the femoral head with associated acetabular articular failure. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 38 months (range, 24-120 months), and the average patient age was 16 years (range, 12-17 years), with 47 male and 57 female patients. There were 67 combined, 33 cam, and 16 pincer lesions. The average improvement on the mHHS was 25 points (average score: 69 preoperatively, 94 postoperatively), with 97% improved and 94% good and excellent results. Athletes returned to their sport after 100 procedures (86%). After 16 procedures, 5 patients were unable to return to sport, 6 chose not to, and 5 had completed their high school athletic careers. There were 2 complications, both transient pudendal nerve neurapraxias, that resolved within 2 weeks. Four patients underwent repeat arthroscopic surgery, and 1 underwent periacetabular osteotomy. CONCLUSION: This study reports favorable outcomes of arthroscopic treatment of FAI among adolescent athletes. A high proportion improved, although only 87% actually returned to their sport. Return to sport may be influenced by factors other than just the success of the procedures.

Arthroscopic Management of Femoroacetabular Impingement in Adolescents.

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of hip arthroscopy for adolescent patients with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in relation to a control group of adult patients treated arthroscopically for FAI. METHODS: All patients undergoing hip arthroscopy were assessed with a modified Harris Hip Score preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 12, 24, and 60 months. Inclusion criteria were all patients less than 18 years of age who underwent arthroscopic surgery for symptomatic FAI and had achieved minimum 1-year follow-up. These cases were gathered over an 8-year period. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 122 consecutive hips (108 patients), and the control group consisted of 122 hips. Follow-up averaged 30 months (range 12 to 60 months). For the study group, the average age was 16 years, with 55 males and 65 females; control group average age was 36 years, with 71 males and 51 females. In the study group, the average scores were preoperative 68.3 and postoperative 93.6, with a 25.4-point improvement. The duration of symptoms averaged 16.6 months, and 95.9% participated in athletic activities. The study group included 36 cam, 17 pincer, and 69 combined lesions. One hundred eleven labral tears underwent 85 refixations and 26 debridements; there were 101 acetabular chondral lesions (51 grade 3 or 4), with 4 microfractures and 3 femoral chondral lesions. Among the control group, the average scores were preoperative 63.3 and postoperative 85.5, with a 22.2-point improvement. The duration of symptoms averaged 31.2 months, and 61.5% participate in athletic activities. The control group consisted of 53 cam, 5 pincer, and 64 combined FAI lesions. One hundred three labral tears underwent 52 refixations and 51 debridements; there were 112 acetabular lesions (92 grade 3 or 4), with 20 microfractures and 17 femoral chondral lesions. The study group included 15 concomitant extra-articular procedures, and there were 5 in the control group. In the study group, 4 underwent repeat arthroscopy and 1 periacetabular osteotomy; in the control group, 1 patient underwent repeat arthroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable outcomes of arthroscopic management of FAI in adolescents are reported compared with an adult control group. The present data support that arthroscopy does have a role in the management of FAI in adolescents. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case control study.

Hip arthroscopy in the warrior athlete: 2 to 10 year outcomes.

Hip disorders are increasingly recognized among athletic populations. The rigors of military service expose individuals to the same risks as those participating in competitive sports, compounded by potential exposure to violent macrotrauma. This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data among 62 active duty military personnel (64 hips) with 2-10-year follow-up. Follow-up averaged 47 months (range 24-120 months). The average age was 30 years (range 17-53 years) with 45 males and 17 females; 37 right and 27 left hips. Duration of symptoms prior to arthroscopy averaged 28 months (range 6-168 months). The average improvement was 22 points (pre-op 63; post-op 85) using the 100-point modified Harris hip score and was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Patients were improved after 60 of 64 procedures (94%) and returned to active duty following 52 (80%) and an average of 5 months (range 1 week-15 months). Forty-six (72%) underwent correction of FAI including 27 combined, 17 cam and two pincer lesions. Overall diagnoses and procedures are detailed. One patient underwent repeat arthroscopy and remained improved at 2-year follow-up; none were converted to total hip arthroplasty. There were two minor complications, a transient ulnar nerve neurapraxia and superficial sensory dysesthesias of the foot, both of which resolved within a few days. This is a heterogeneous cohort of pathology, but illustrates that hip disorders may exist among active duty military personnel and may benefit from arthroscopic intervention. A sense of awareness is important for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.

Surgical Outcome of Pincer Femoroacetabular Impingement With and Without Labral Ossification.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical findings associated with labral ossification (LO), report the outcomes of arthroscopic treatment, and compare this condition to a control group with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). METHODS: A retrospective review of hip arthroscopy patients from 2004 to 2013 was performed to identify patients with a diagnosis of pincer FAI with LO and at least 2 years of follow-up. Diagnosis was made by plain radiograph, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or intraoperatively. The LO cohort was compared to a chronologically matched control group of FAI patients with pincer FAI but no LO. Patients were prospectively assessed with modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) preoperatively and then postoperatively at 3, 12, 24, 60, and 120 months. RESULTS: The LO group included 56 hips in 52 patients whereas the control group included 56 hips in 56 patients. Mean follow-up was 36 months for the LO group and 38 for the control group (P = .28). Patients in the LO group were older than those in the control group, with a mean age of 45 versus 30 years (P < .0001), and had more women: 58% female versus 32% male (P < .0001). The LO group patients were more likely to have pain while sitting (65% v 18%) and restricted activities of daily living (40% v 11%) than the control group (P < .0001), and more likely to have pain during a flexion, abduction, external rotation (FABER) test (67% v 36%) (P = .002). Both groups experienced a similar magnitude of improvement in mHHS, but the LO group had a significantly lower preoperative mHHS (49 v 63, P < .001) and final postoperative mHHS (75 v 87, P < .0001) than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with LO represent a unique subset of pincer FAI and are more likely to be older, female, and have more severe symptoms. Hip arthroscopy can be used to treat LO with excision of the ossified fragments or rim, with a reasonable expectation of improvement of symptoms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective case-control.

Hip Arthroscopy in High-Level Baseball Players.

PURPOSE: To report the results of hip arthroscopy among high-level baseball players as recorded by outcome scores and return to baseball. METHODS: All patients undergoing hip arthroscopy were prospectively assessed with the modified Harris Hip Score. On review of all procedures performed over a 12-year period, 44 hips were identified among 41 intercollegiate or professional baseball players who had achieved 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Among the 41 players, follow-up averaged 45 months (range, 24 to 120 months), with a mean age of 23 years (range, 18 to 34 years). There were 23 collegiate (1 bilateral) and 18 professional (2 bilateral) baseball players, including 10 Major League Baseball players. Of the 8 Major League Baseball pitchers, 6 (75%) also underwent ulnar collateral ligament elbow surgery. Improvement in the modified Harris Hip Score averaged 13 points (from 81 points preoperatively to 94 points postoperatively); a paired-samples t test determined that this mean improvement of 13 points was statistically significant (P < .001). Players returned to baseball after 42 of 44 procedures (95%) at a mean of 4.3 months (range, 3 to 8 months), with 90% regaining the ability to participate at their previous level of competition. There were no complications. Three players (1 bilateral) underwent repeat arthroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the idea that arthroscopic treatment for a variety of hip pathologies in high-level baseball players provides a successful return to sport and improvement in functional outcome scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Primary repair of the acetabular labrum: outcomes with 2 years' follow-up.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the results and outcomes of primary repair of the torn acetabular labrum. METHODS: All patients undergoing hip arthroscopy are prospectively assessed solely with the modified Harris Hip Score, which is an outcomes tool. Over a 4-year period, 37 patients (38 hips) underwent primary repair of a torn acetabular labrum and had reached 2 years' follow-up. No cases were excluded. For perspective on the frequency of this procedure, the ratio of labral refixations after pincer femoroacetabular impingement correction to primary repairs was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age was 26 years (range, 11 to 44 years). There were 26 female and 11 male patients, with 20 right and 18 left hips. The mean improvement in the modified Harris Hip Score was 18.9 points (70.5 points preoperatively and 89.4 points postoperatively), with 35 hips (92%) showing improvement, including good and excellent results in 35 hips (92%). Associated pathology included articular damage (21 hips), ligamentum teres (14 hips), cam femoroacetabular impingement (11 hips), borderline dysplasia (center-edge angle, 20° to 25°) (3 hips), dysplasia (center-edge angle <20°) (2 hips), and iliopsoas (2 hips). Four patients underwent repeat arthroscopy at a mean of 10 months (range, 5 to 15 months) postoperatively. The labral repair site was fully healed in each of these cases. There were no complications. During the study period, a total of 1,574 arthroscopic hip procedures were performed, including 439 labral refixations, representing an 11.6:1 ratio of refixation to repair. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed good clinical results of primary repair with favorable outcomes and evidence of good healing, even among the 11% of patients who required repeat arthroscopy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Ultrasound-guided hip injections: a comparative study with fluoroscopy-guided injections.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to assess ultrasound-guided injections through patient satisfaction in a comparative internally controlled study of fluoroscopic versus ultrasound technique and to quantitate the reliability of the ultrasound method. In addition, the reliability of the ultrasound method was quantitated. METHODS: This study consisted of the first 50 consecutive patients to undergo ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of the hip (by a nurse practitioner) and who had previously undergone fluoroscopy-guided intra-articular injections by our center's fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists. The patients rated the ultrasound and fluoroscopic experiences on a scale from 1 to 10 for convenience and pain; in addition, they indicated their preference between the 2 techniques. Success of the injection was documented among a total of 206 consecutive patients who underwent ultrasound-guided injections during the period of the controlled study. RESULTS: For convenience, ultrasound injection had a mean rating of 9.8 whereas fluoroscopic injection had a mean rating of 3.1. For pain, ultrasound had a mean rating of 3 and fluoroscopy had a mean rating of 5.6. These differences were statistically significant (P < .01) in favor of ultrasound. For preference, 49 of 50 patients in the control study (98%) stated that they would prefer the ultrasound injection, whereas 1 was uncertain. The injection was successful in 202 of the first 206 patients (98%) to undergo ultrasound injection, whereas 4 patients required a second pass for successful injection. CONCLUSIONS: In this study in-office ultrasound-guided injections of the hip were more convenient and less painful than fluoroscopy-guided hospital-based injections and were preferred by patients who have undergone both. Furthermore, the ultrasound-guided injections were performed by a recently trained physician extender in contrast to the fluoroscopic method, which was performed by experienced fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists. The procedure is highly successful in the hands of a properly trained clinician. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective comparative study.

Two to 10 Years' follow-up of arthroscopic management of pigmented villonodular synovitis in the hip: a case series.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of arthroscopic treatment for pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of the hip. METHODS: All patients undergoing hip arthroscopy are prospectively assessed with a modified Harris Hip Score preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 12, 24, 60, and 120 months. Thirteen patients were identified with histologically confirmed PVNS and minimum 2-year follow-up. These procedures were performed between 2001 and 2008, during which time a total of 1,640 arthroscopic procedures were performed. There was 100% follow-up at a mean of 63 months (range, 24 to 120 months). There were 9 female and 4 male patients with a mean age of 27 years (range, 14 to 46 years). The pattern of involvement was diffuse in 3 patients, nodular in 3, and combined in 7. Concomitant pathology included 7 articular cartilage lesions (3 grade III and 4 grade IV), 6 labral tears, and 4 cases with femoroacetabular impingement. RESULTS: The mean improvement in the Harris Hip Score was 27 points (62 points preoperatively and 89 points postoperatively) (SD, 17 points), with a range of 3 to 56 points. The mean improvement based on pattern of disease was as follows: diffuse, 30 points (SD, 23 points); nodular, 25 points (SD, 18 points); and combined, 26 points (SD, 0.70 points). There were no complications, but one patient was converted to a total hip arthroplasty at 6 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort the results of arthroscopic management of PVNS have been favorable with minimal morbidity. Arthroscopy may be necessary to substantiate the diagnosis, as well as to assess and address other accompanying damage. The procedure must include both the central and peripheral compartments. The secondary damage and prelude to osteoarthritis cannot be reversed and, when severe, make the less invasive nature of the arthroscopic approach especially appealing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement: minimum 2-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: We report the results of arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement with 2-year follow-up. METHODS: All patients undergoing hip arthroscopy were prospectively assessed with the modified Harris Hip Score. Arthroscopic correction of femoroacetabular impingement was first performed in 2003. The cohort of this study consists of the first 100 consecutive cases that had achieved 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: There was 100% follow-up at 2 years. The mean age was 34 years (range, 13 to 76 years), with 67 male and 33 female patients. There were 63 cam, 18 pincer, and 19 combined lesions. Acetabular articular damage was found in 97 cases, femoral damage was present in 23, and there were 92 labral tears. The median improvement was 21.5 points, with 79 good and excellent results. No patient required revision to total hip arthroplasty, but 6 patients underwent a subsequent arthroscopic procedure. There were 3 complications including a transient neurapraxia of the pudendal nerve and a transient neurapraxia of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which resolved uneventfully, and 1 mild case of heterotopic ossification. CONCLUSIONS: We report favorable outcomes for the arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement in our early experience in the first 100 consecutive cases. The high incidence of significant articular damage observed at the time of arthroscopic intervention is concerning.