Hip and Pelvic Problems in Athletes

Stability Reliability and External Validity of Myrick THIRD Test for Hip Labral Tears

The purpose of the study is to examine whether the physical examination technique, Myrick The Hip Internal Rotation with Distraction (THIRD), is reliable and valid. The Myrick THIRD test has previously established and documented sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and internal and external validity. The goal of this original research was to demonstrate stability reliability of the Myrick THIRD test when the study is conducted in a clinical setting where the test has not previously been performed, as well as to demonstrate that the Myrick THIRD test has external validity when conducted across multiple examiners in a new setting. The importance of the study reflects current clinical practice and the lack of specific clinical assessment techniques used to determine the source of intra-articular hip pain successfully. Testing included the Myrick THIRD test, magnetic resonance arthrogram (MRA), and arthroscopy. The primary outcomes included the results of the MRA, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Myrick THIRD test, and arthroscopy. The inclusion criteria were 18- to 49-year-olds presenting with hip pain. The exclusion criteria included patients younger than 18 and older than 49 years and patients who were willing to undergo MRI arthrogram. A test of paired proportions, correlation, sensitivity, and specificity was performed. The significance level was preset at .05. All 86 patients had a positive Myrick THIRD test, which was confirmed with arthroscopy. Eight of the 11 positive MRI results and 64 of the 74 positive MRA results were confirmed with arthroscopy. The Myrick THIRD test had a statistically significant higher accuracy rate than the MRA (p = .002) but not the MRI (p = .08). Myrick THIRD test showed a significantly higher accuracy rate than MRA.

Use of Anatomic Radiographic Horizons for the Lateral Center-Edge Angle in the Classification of Hip Dysplasia

BACKGROUND

The lateral center-edge angle of Wiberg (LCEA) and Tönnis angle (TA) rely on a "horizon" that functions as a reference point for measurements of hip dysplasia on weightbearing anteroposterior pelvis radiographs. There are 3 different horizons that are currently utilized depending on surgeon preference: (1) a line parallel to the radiographic floor (F), (2) a line that connects the inferior portions of the acetabular teardrops (ATs), or (3) a line that connects the ischial tuberosities (ITs). It is imperative to accurately assess the degree of hip dysplasia on initial workup to select the appropriate surgical intervention.

PURPOSE

To assess how the choice of a radiographic horizon affects the measurements of the LCEA and TA. The secondary purpose was to assess how the horizon affected the classification of hips as either normal, borderline dysplastic, or dysplastic.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

The LCEA and TA were measured on all preoperative weightbearing anteroposterior pelvis radiographs for 186 consecutive patients who underwent hip preservation surgery between February 2016 and November 2020 (140 hip arthroscopic procedures, 46 combined hip arthroscopic procedures with periacetabular osteotomy), 3 times per hip, each time using an F, AT, and IT horizon. The Student t test was used to analyze the differences in the measurements of the LCEA and TA, and discordance rates in the dysplasia classification between horizons were quantified.

RESULTS

For the entire study population, the mean LCEA_F (23.4°± 7.4°) was significantly greater than the mean LCEA_IT (23.1°± 7.2°) (95% CI, -0.634 to -0.003; P = .047) and mean LCEA_AT (23.0°± 7.1°) (95% CI, -0.723 to -0.139; P = .004). There was no difference between the LCEA_IT and LCEA_AT (95% CI, -0.305 to 0.080; P = .251). When stratified by hip arthroscopic surgery, the mean LCEA_F (26.3°± 5.6°) was significantly greater than the mean LCEA_AT (25.8°± 5.3°) (95% CI, -0.845 to -0.162; P = .004). Overall, there was a 17.7% and 18.3% discordance rate in the dysplasia classification using the LCEA_IT and LCEA_AT compared with the LCEA_F, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the mean TA_IT, TA_AT, and TA_F for the entire study population, the arthroscopic surgery group, and the combined arthroscopic surgery and periacetabular osteotomy group.

CONCLUSION

There was no statistical difference between the AT and IT horizons for LCEA measurements. The dysplasia classification was in better agreement between the 2 anatomic horizons compared with the F horizon. The TA was not affected by changes in the horizon.

Ligamentum teres injuries of the hip: a systematic review examining surgical indications, treatment options, and outcomes

PURPOSE

Hip arthroscopy is becoming a common technique for the diagnosis and treatment of ligamentum teres pathologic conditions. This systematic review aims to determine the indications/contraindications, treatments, and surgical outcomes for management of ligamentum teres injuries.

METHODS

We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases from 1946 to November 28, 2013 for all relevant English articles pertaining to surgical treatment of the ligamentum teres. A hand search of the reference sections of included articles was performed, and all relevant articles were systematically screened in duplicate, with agreement and descriptive statistics presented.

RESULTS

We identified 1,016 studies, 9 of which (4 case series and 5 case reports) met our eligibility criteria. These studies had a total of 87 patients (89 hips) who had undergone either arthroscopic debridement (81 patients, 83 hips) or reconstruction with autografting, allografting, or synthetic grafting (6 patients) of a torn ligamentum teres. Major qualifications for surgery included persistent hip pain despite conservative treatment and mechanical symptoms or instability symptoms (e.g., clicking or locking). Advanced arthritis (i.e., radiographic joint space < 2 mm) was the only reported contraindication. Patients were followed postoperatively for 1.5 to 60 months and were assessed using subjective methods (i.e., modified Harris Hip Score [mHHS] and Non-Arthritic Hip Score [NAHS]). Overall, both debridement and reconstruction improved the condition of patients, with a 40% increase in reported postoperative functional scores as well as a reported 89% of patients who were able to return to regular activity/sport.

CONCLUSIONS

Ligamentum teres debridement is indicated for short-term relief of hip pain caused by partial-thickness tears (type 2) failing conservative management, whereas reconstruction with autografts, allografts, or synthetic grafts may be indicated for type 1 (full-thickness) ligamentum teres tears that are deemed "reparable," cause instability, have failed previous debridement, or a combination of these conditions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of Level IV and Level V studies.