Criteria for the Operating Room Confirmation of the Diagnosis of Hip Instability: The Results of an International Expert Consensus Conference

Relationship Between Hip Capsular Thickness and Instability After Previous Hip Arthroscopic Surgery: A Matched-Cohort Analysis

Background

Thinner anterior hip capsules are associated with hip laxity, but there is little known about the impact of capsular thickness on the development of instability after primary hip arthroscopic surgery.

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between hip capsular thickness as measured on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the development of hip instability after hip arthroscopic surgery for femoroacetabular impingement.

Study Design

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

We reviewed revision hip arthroscopic procedures performed between January 1, 2019, and May 1, 2021, at a single institution. Inclusion criteria were preoperative MRI/magnetic resonance arthrography, completion of the study traction protocol, and asymmetric distraction between the hips of ≥3 mm on examination under anesthesia. A comparison group of patients treated for femoroacetabular impingement with primary hip arthroscopic surgery who did not develop capsular instability were matched 1:1 to the patients with instability. Superolateral hip capsular thickness was measured on MRI before index surgery. Analysis was conducted using independent-samples t tests and multivariable linear regression.

Results

A total of 44 patients were included, with 22 patients each in the instability and no-instability groups. The mean capsular thickness was lower in the patients with hip instability than in those without (1.9 ± 0.6 vs 3.4 ± 1.1 mm, respectively; P < .001). Decreased capsular thickness was significantly associated with hips with instability versus no-instability (β = -1.468 [95% CI, -2.049 to -0.887]; P < .001).

Conclusion

Thinner preoperative hip capsules in the region of the iliofemoral ligament were seen in patients who subsequently underwent revision arthroscopic surgery for hip instability compared to patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopic surgery without subsequent revision. Patients at a higher risk for the development of postoperative hip instability had a superolateral hip capsular thickness of <2 mm.

Ligamentum Teres Tears and Increased Combined Anteversion Are Associated With Hip Microinstability in Patients With Borderline Dysplasia

PURPOSE

To investigate the differences in the prevalence of ligamentum teres (LT) tears and other radiographic measurements in borderline dysplasia of the hip (BDDH) with/without microinstability and to evaluate the associations between these imaging findings and the prevalence of microinstability in patients with BDDH.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of symptomatic patients with BDDH (18° ≤ lateral center-edge angle <25°) treated with arthroscopy in our hospital between January 2016 and December 2021. These patients were divided into the BDDH with microinstability (mBDDH) group and the stable BDDH (nBDDH) group. The radiographic parameters associated with hip joint stability, such as the state of LT, acetabular versions, femoral neck version, Tönnis angle, combined anteversions, and anterior/posterior acetabular coverage, were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 54 patients (49 female/5 male, 26.7 ± 6.9 years) in the mBDDH group and 81 patients (74 female/7 male, 27.2 ± 7.7 years) in the nBDDH group. The mBDDH group had greater LT tear (43/54 vs 5/81) and general laxity rates, increased femoral neck version, acetabular version and combined anteversion (52.4 ± 5.9 vs 41.5 ± 7.1 at 3-o'clock level) than the nBDDH group. Binary logistic regression showed that LT tears (odds ratio 6.32, 95% confidence interval 1.38-28.8; P = .02; R2 = .458) and combined anteversion at the 3-o'clock level (odds ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.84; P < .01; R2 = .458) were independent predictors of microinstability in patients with BDDH. The cutoff value of combined anteversion at 3-o'clock level was 49.5°. In addition, LT tear was correlated with increased combined anteversion at 3-o'clock level in patients with BDDH (P < .01, η2 = 0.29).

CONCLUSIONS

LT tears and increased combined anteversion at the 3-o'clock level on the acetabular clockface were associated with hip microinstability in patients with BDDH, suggesting that patients with BDDH and LT tears might have a greater prevalence of anterior microinstability.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, case‒control study.

Editorial Commentary: Borderline Hip Dysplasia Combined With Increased Anteversion and Ligamentum Teres Disruption Is a Recipe for Hip Microinstability

The ligamentum teres (LT) is known to play a role as a secondary stabilizer of the hip joint. LT tears can be associated with hip instability. In patients with borderline developmental dysplasia of the hip (BDDH), the correlation between LT tears and microinstability is even more pronounced because of the increased mechanical stress placed on the ligament. This relationship may lead certain surgeons to consider new indications for LT reconstructions. However, caution is warranted regarding the potential role of LT reconstruction in these patients, particularly since the primary deficiency in BDDH is bony undercoverage. Addressing this bony undercoverage should be a primary consideration that may be supplemented with other procedures, which may include addressing soft-tissue injuries around the hip such as LT tears. This is especially the case in those patients with persistent symptoms after management of labral tears or LT disruption.

SSR white paper: guidelines for utilization and performance of direct MR arthrography

OBJECTIVE

Direct magnetic resonance arthrography (dMRA) is often considered the most accurate imaging modality for the evaluation of intra-articular structures, but utilization and performance vary widely without consensus. The purpose of this white paper is to develop consensus recommendations on behalf of the Society of Skeletal Radiology (SSR) based on published literature and expert opinion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Standards and Guidelines Committee of the SSR identified guidelines for utilization and performance of dMRA as an important topic for study and invited all SSR members with expertise and interest to volunteer for the white paper panel. This panel was tasked with determining an outline, reviewing the relevant literature, preparing a written document summarizing the issues and controversies, and providing recommendations.

RESULTS

Twelve SSR members with expertise in dMRA formed the ad hoc white paper authorship committee. The published literature on dMRA was reviewed and summarized, focusing on clinical indications, technical considerations, safety, imaging protocols, complications, controversies, and gaps in knowledge. Recommendations for the utilization and performance of dMRA in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle/foot regions were developed in group consensus.

CONCLUSION

Although direct MR arthrography has been previously used for a wide variety of clinical indications, the authorship panel recommends more selective application of this minimally invasive procedure. At present, direct MR arthrography remains an important procedure in the armamentarium of the musculoskeletal radiologist and is especially valuable when conventional MRI is indeterminant or results are discrepant with clinical evaluation.

Borderline Dysplasia After Primary Hip Arthroscopy with Capsular Plication and Labral Preservation: Ten-Year Survivorship and Patient-Reported Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The arthroscopic management of borderline hip dysplasia (BHD) is controversial, and long-term follow-up data are scarce. The purpose of this study was to report prospectively collected survivorship and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at a minimum 10-year follow-up following primary hip arthroscopy with capsular plication and labral preservation in patients with BHD.

METHODS

Data were prospectively collected on all patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy between September 2008 and September 2011. Patients with BHD (defined by a lateral center-edge angle [LCEA] between 18° and 25°) were included. Preoperative and minimum 10-year follow-up scores for the modified Harris hip score (mHHS), Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score-Sports Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain were collected. Exclusion criteria were prior ipsilateral hip surgery, Workers' Compensation status, Tönnis grade of >1, previous hip conditions, or LCEA of <18°. Survivorship was defined as no conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA). The risk factors for THA conversion were analyzed. The achievement rate for the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was reported. A propensity-matched comparison with a control group without BHD was performed.

RESULTS

Forty-five (80%) of 56 eligible hips were included in this study: 38 hips (84%) of female patients and 7 hips (16%) of male patients. The mean patient age was 31.0 ± 12.9 years, and the mean patient body mass index (BMI) was 24.5 ± 5.4 kg/m2. The 10-year survivorship was 82.2%, and there was significant improvement in all PROMs and VAS pain from baseline to the minimum 10-year follow-up (p < 0.001). The odds of undergoing conversion to THA were 4.4 times higher for patients with a BMI of ≥23 kg/m2 and 7.1 times higher for patients who were ≥42 years of age. The MCID was achieved at high rates for the mHHS (79%), NAHS (79%), HOS-SSS (70%), and VAS pain (76%). The minimum 10-year survivorship, PROMs, and MCID achievement rates for the BHD group were comparable with those for the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with BHD who underwent primary hip arthroscopy with capsular plication and labral preservation demonstrated an overall survivorship of 82.2% and significant improvement in all PROMs and achieved the MCID at high rates at a minimum 10-year follow-up.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Arthroscopic Capsular Suture-Lifting Technique for Treating Femoroacetabular Impingement Patients With a High Risk of Postoperative Anterior Instability

With the increasing popularity of hip arthroscopy, postoperative iatrogenic instability due to bony and soft-tissue issues has been noted by more orthopaedic surgeons. Although there is a low risk of serious complications in patients with normal hip joint development even without suturing of the joint capsule, for patients with a preoperative high risk of anterior instability-including those with excessive anteversion of the acetabulum or femur, borderline dysplasia of the hip, and hip arthroscopic revision surgery with an anterior defect of the joint capsule-capsulotomy without repair will result in postoperative anterior instability of the hip joint and related symptoms. Capsular suturing techniques that provide anterior stabilization will be of great help for these high-risk patients and reduce the possibility of postoperative anterior instability. In this Technical Note, we introduce the arthroscopic capsular suture-lifting technique for treating femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) patients with a high risk of postoperative hip instability. In the past 2 years, the capsular suture-lifting technique has been used to treat FAI patients with borderline dysplasia of the hip and excessive femoral neck anteversion, and clinical results have shown that the suture-lifting technique provides a reliable and effective solution for FAI patients with a high risk of postoperative anterior hip instability.

The posterior crescent sign on MRI and MR arthrography: is it a marker of hip dysplasia and instability?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of the 'posterior crescent sign' in symptomatic patients referred for MRI/MR arthrogram of the hip and identify any correlation with imaging features of joint pathology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective imaging assessment of a cohort of 1462 hips, from 1380 included MR examinations (82 bilateral) retrieved from a search of all examinations in patients 16-50 years old from June 2018 to June 2021, with median age 45.8 years (range 17.8-50.0) and 936 hips (64%) in women. Radiographic and MR findings related to hip dysplasia, femoroacetabular impingement and osteoarthritis were assessed.

RESULTS

Fifty-one hips (3.5%) were positive for the posterior crescent sign, median age of 45.8 years (range 17.8-50.0) and 29 (58%) in women. Radiographic findings included the following: mean lateral centre edge angle (LCEA) 22.2° (± 7.8°) with LCEA < 20° in 15 (31%) and LCEA 20-25° in 17 (35%) and mean acetabular index (AI) of 13.1° (± 5.8°) with AI > 13° in 22 (45%). MR findings included the following: mean anterior acetabular sector angle (AASA) 54.3° (± 9.8°), mean posterior acetabular sector angle (PASA) 92.7° (± 7.0°), labral tear at 3-4 o'clock in 20 (39%), high-grade acetabular chondral loss in 42 (83%) and ligamentum teres abnormality in 20 (39%).

CONCLUSION

The posterior crescent sign occurs in 3.5% of symptomatic young and middle-aged adults on MR. It is associated with overt and borderline hip dysplasia and other findings of hip instability. It is also associated with osteoarthritis in some cases and should be interpreted with caution in these patients.

Editorial Commentary: Patients With Thin Hip Capsules, Capsular Redundancy, Capsular Defects, Hypermobility, Dysplasia, and Female Patients Are at Increased Risk of Hip Instability

Patients with thin hip capsules, capsular redundancy, capsular defects, hypermobility, dysplasia, and female patients are at increased risk of hip instability. As our understanding of the factors that contribute to hip instability has increased, so too has our ability to identify "at-risk" patients, in whom we should avoid surgery or perform capsular repair or plication following hip arthroscopy to achieve optimal results. We must tailor our surgical planning accord to gender, bony morphology, capsular volume, and properties of the tissue.

Editorial Commentary: Hip Joint Laxity, Microinstability, or Instability Require Precise Definition: No Matter What You Call It, It's Here to Stay!

Hip instability has gained recognition as an important cause of hip pathology. Causes include incongruency of the articular surfaces due to dysplasia and/or impingement, joint capsule pathology, labral pathology, ligamentum teres tears, ligamentous laxity, muscular imbalance, and tendon tears. Lacking clearly defined symptoms and tests has hindered identification and treatment of this condition. Furthermore, the relevant literature uses different terms such as hyperlaxity and microinstability to describe this patient population, conveying different messages. However, the different terms convey different messages. Joint hyperlaxity or hypermobility has sometimes been used in reference to the hip; however, these usually refer to a genetic ligamentous and capsular condition affecting collagen structure, such as in Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. More common, and often interchangeable, terms are instability and microinstability. As the authors state in the present study, 'instability' has the advantage of conveying the significant impact the condition has on a patient's life. On the other hand, 'microinstability' may more accurately reflect the vague clinical presentation that we often encounter in the average hip patient with instability. Most patients do not complain of symptoms commonly seen in other joints with "instability," such as giving way, subluxation, and recurrent dislocations. In the hip, the symptoms are generally less tangible, and hence, the term "microinstability" may be more appropriate.