Pain relief and good functional outcomes after hip endoscopy via posterior approach in patients with ischiofemoral impingement

Endoscopic Ischial Tuberosity Osteophyte Resection for Treatment of Ischiofemoral Impingement: A Case Report

Ischiofemoral impingement is a distinct pathologic finding with abnormal osseous contact between the ischium and the lesser trochanter of the femur. Lesser trochanter excision has been recommended for recalcitrant ischiofemoral impingement through an open or endoscopic approach; however, no study has included ischial tuberosity osteophyte resection and refixation of the hamstring tendon. We report an endoscopic procedure involving ischial tuberosity osteophyte resection with refixation of the partially detached hamstring insertion through a posterior approach in the prone position. Using this technique, it is easier to reach the lesion and less likely to injure the sciatic nerve. The postoperative pain score (visual analogy score) was significantly decreased, the modified Harris hip score increased from 39 preoperatively to 86 postoperatively, and there was no adverse effect on the hamstring tendon.

Hip-Spine Syndrome in the Nonarthritic Patient

Hip-spine syndrome refers to concurrent hip and spine pathology with overlapping symptoms. Most of the literature has studied it in relation to total hip arthroplasty literature and has been shown to increase dislocation risk. Lumbar spine and pelvic mobility have been studied less frequently in relation to nonarthritic pathologic hip states. Understanding the biomechanical relationship between the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip can help elucidate how hip-spine syndrome affects the nonarthritic hip and how it impacts outcomes of hip arthroscopy. Changes in lumbar spine motion may be the reason certain predisposed patients develop symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) or ischiofemoral impingement. Some athletes may be "hip users" with a low pelvic incidence, making them more reliant on hip motion due to less-intrinsic lumbopelvic motion. When these patients have FAI morphology, their increased reliance on hip motion makes them prone to experiencing femoroacetabular contact and concurrent symptoms. Other athletes may be "spine users," with larger pelvic incidence and more baseline lumbopelvic motion, making them less reliant on hip motion and therefore less prone to experiencing hip impingement even with hip FAI morphology. Hip-spine syndrome also appears to have an impact on patient selection, role of nonoperative treatment, and hip arthroscopy surgical outcomes. Identifying patients with concurrent pathology may allow surgeons to recommend targeted physical therapy or counsel patients better on their expectations after surgery.

Open Ischiofemoral Impingement Decompression

Ischiofemoral impingement is a relatively rare cause of posterior hip pain associated with narrowing of the space between the lateral aspect of the ischium and the lesser trochanter. Symptoms typically consist of lower buttock, groin, and/or medial thigh pain, which is commonly exacerbated by adduction, extension, and external rotation of the hip. This condition can be treated nonoperatively in many circumstances; however, recalcitrant cases may require surgical intervention. Whereas described operative treatment options for this pathology range from endoscopic to open procedures, this Technical Note describes a safe and reliable technique for open ischiofemoral decompression with sciatic nerve neurolysis through a posterior approach for treatment of ischiofemoral impingement refractory to conservative treatment.

Ischiofemoral space dimensions for ischiofemoral impingement: is it different in children?

OBJECTIVE

This study intended to analyze alterations in ischiofemoral space (IFS) dimensions in normal children between the ages of 1 and 18 years for the ischiofemoral impingement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study retrospectively focused on computed tomography images of 360 hips of 180 (90 boys and 90 girls) pediatric subjects (mean age: 9.50 ± 5.20 years, range: 1-18 years) without any hip disorders to measure IFS, femoral neck angle (FNA), and ischial angle (IA).

RESULTS

Mean IFS, FNA, and IA were measured as 14.64 ± 7.24 mm, 34.61 ± 11.47°, and 131.52 ± 4.22°, respectively. IFS increased in children aged between 1 and 18 years, whereas FNA and IA decreased. IFS was similar in infancy and early childhood periods but then increased up to postpubescent period. FNA decreased proportionally from birth, whereas IA decreased in an irregular pattern. Linear functions were detected as y = 3.451 + 1.178 × years for IFS, as y = 48.555 - 1.468 × years for FNA, and as y = 132.535 - 0.107 × years for IA.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that IFS tends to increase in size with age during childhood but decreases with further aging. Therefore, age-specific values for IFS, FNA, and IA may be beneficial for clinicians and radiologists for the diagnosis of ischiofemoral impingement.

Arthroscopic Lesser Trochanter Osteoplasty, Quadratus Femoris Debridement, and Sciatic Neurolysis via Posterior Approach for Ischiofemoral Impingement

Ischiofemoral impingement (IFI) syndrome is considered the narrowing of the ischiofemoral space (IFS), leading to pathological changes in the quadratus femoris and sciatic nerve, causing posterior hip and sciatica-like pain. Open or arthroscopic resection of the lesser trochanter to enlarge the IFS is the main surgical procedure. However, there is a lack of research on isolated IFI, and currently known surgical procedures are at risk of weakening the flexion strength of the hip joint. In this study, four patients, who were diagnosed with isolated IFI and had undergone arthroscopic treatment with partial resection of the lesser trochanter, debridement of the quadratus femoris, and decompression of the sciatic nerve, were reviewed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the management of IFI using a series of surgical procedures via a posterior approach as an effective treatment option. The outcomes of this study broadened the strategies for IFI management.

Deep Gluteal Pain in Orthopaedics: A Challenging Diagnosis

Identifying the specific source of gluteal pain can elude the most seasoned orthopaedic diagnosticians. Patients will often present with a protracted course of symptoms, and failure to successfully identify and treat the underlying etiology leads to frustration for both patient and clinician. Pain deep in the buttocks can arise from compression, inflammation, or injury of one or more of the structures in this anatomically dense area. Although sacroiliitis, hip arthritis, and trochanteric bursitis may also masquerade as gluteal pain, sciatic nerve irritation in its various presentations causes a substantial percentage of cases. Deep gluteal syndrome, hamstring syndrome, and ischiofemoral impingement can have overlapping presentations but can be differentiated by clinical examination and judiciously placed diagnostic corticosteroid injections. Although nonsurgical management, including physical therapy, relative rest, and injections represent the mainstay of treatment, open and endoscopic surgical approaches have yielded encouraging success rates in refractory cases.