Arthroscopy after hip joint injury. Case studies and indications

• Published in: Der Unfallchirurg Vol. 115; no. 3; p. 273
• Main Authors: Mella, C, del Río, J, Lara, J, Parodi, D, Moya, L, Schmidt-Hebbel, A, Boettner, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01-03-2012
• Subjects: Adult; Arthroscopy - instrumentation; Arthroscopy - methods; Femoracetabular Impingement - etiology; Femoracetabular Impingement - surgery; Femoral Fractures - complications; Femoral Fractures - surgery; Hip Dislocation; Humans; Male; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1433-044X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00113-011-1989-7

Intra-articular injuries are common after dislocation and fracture of the hip joint and can be addressed using hip arthroscopy. The most common indications for this procedure are loose bodies, labral tears and chondral defects. In addition, preexisting femoroacetabular impingement can be addressed at the time of surgery. Arthroscopically guided fracture reduction and fixation has been described. We present two case reports of intra-articular lesions after traumatic hip dislocation. The first is a case of a man with an anterior labral tear and loose bodies after closed hip reduction. The second case is a man with a large anterior labral tear with preexisting femoroacetabular impingement. Both of them were treated by arthroscopic debridement of the unstable labrum. In addition loose bodies were removed in the first patient and a femoral osteoplasty was performed in the second patient. Hip arthroscopy has proven to be a safe and effective surgical technique for treating specific post-traumatic lesions and preexisting femoroacetabular impingement. The current case reports provide an overview of the indication for hip arthroscopy following traumatic injuries to the hip.