Clinical and Radiographic Predictors for Unsalvageable Labral Tear at the Time of Initial Hip Arthroscopic Management for Femoroacetabular Impingement

Indirect Head of the Rectus Femoris Tendon as a Graft for Segmental Hip Labral Reconstruction: An Anatomic, Radiographical, and Biomechanical Study in Comparison With Iliotibial Labral Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

The indirect head of the rectus femoris (IHRF) tendon has been used as an autograft for segmental labral reconstruction. However, the biomechanical properties and anatomic characteristics of the IHRF, as they relate to surgical applications, have yet to be investigated.

PURPOSE

To (1) quantitatively and qualitatively describe the anatomy of IHRF and its relationship with surrounding arthroscopically relevant landmarks; (2) detail radiographic findings pertinent to IHRF; (3) biomechanically assess segmental labral reconstruction with IHRF, including restoration of the suction seal and contact pressures in comparison with iliotibial band (ITB) reconstruction; and (4) assess potential donor-site morbidity caused by graft harvesting.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive laboratory study.

METHODS

A cadaveric study was performed using 8 fresh-frozen human cadaveric full pelvises and 7 hemipelvises. Three-dimensional anatomic measurements were collected using a 3-dimensional coordinate digitizer. Radiographic analysis was accomplished by securing radiopaque markers of different sizes to the evaluated anatomic structures of the assigned hip.Suction seal and contact pressure testing were performed over 3 trials on 6 pelvises under 4 different testing conditions for each specimen: intact, labral tear, segmental labral reconstruction with ITB, and segmental labral reconstruction with IHRF. After IHRF tendon harvest, each full pelvis had both the intact and contralateral hip tested under tension along its anatomic direction to assess potential site morbidity, such as tendon failure or bony avulsion.

RESULTS

The centroid and posterior apex of the indirect rectus femoris attachment are respectively located 10.3 ± 2.6 mm and 21.0 ± 6.5 mm posteriorly, 2.5 ± 7.8 mm and 0.7 ± 8.0 mm superiorly, and 5.0 ± 2.8 mm and 22.2 ± 4.4 mm laterally to the 12:30 labral position. Radiographically, the mean distance of the IHRF to the following landmarks was determined as follows: anterior inferior iliac spine (8.8 ± 2.5 mm), direct head of the rectus femoris (8.0 ± 3.9 mm), 12-o'clock labral position (14.1 ± 2.8 mm), and 3-o'clock labral position (36.5 ± 4.4 mm). During suction seal testing, both the ITB and the IHRF reconstruction groups had significantly lower peak loads and lower energy to peak loads compared with both intact and tear groups (P = .01 to .02 for all comparisons). There were no significant differences between the reconstruction groups for peak loads, energy, and displacement at peak load. In 60° of flexion, there were no differences in normalized contact pressure and contact area between ITB or IHRF reconstruction groups (P > .99). There were no significant differences between intact and harvested specimen groups in donor-site morbidity testing.

CONCLUSION

The IHRF tendon is within close anatomic proximity to arthroscopic acetabular landmarks. In the cadaveric model, harvesting of the IHRF tendon as an autograft does not lead to significant donor-site morbidity in the remaining tendon. Segmental labral reconstruction performed with the IHRF tendon exhibits similar biomechanical outcomes compared with that performed with ITB.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study demonstrates the viability of segmental labral reconstruction with an IHRF tendon and provides a detailed anatomic description of the tendon in the context of an arthroscopic labral reconstruction. Clinicians can use this information during the selection of a graft and as a guide during an arthroscopic graft harvest.

Decreased Hip Labral Width Measured on Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Is Associated With Greater Revision Rate After Primary Arthroscopic Labral Repair for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome at 5-Year Follow-Up

PURPOSE

To examine the associations between hip labral width and patient-reported outcomes, clinical threshold achievement rates, and rate of reoperation among patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) who underwent hip arthroscopy and labral repair at minimum 5-year follow-up.

METHODS

Patients were identified from a prospective database who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for treatment of labral tears and FAIS. Modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS) were recorded preoperatively and at 5-year follow-up. Achievement of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) was determined using previously established values. Labral width magnetic resonance imaging measurements were performed by 2 independent readers at standardized "clockface" locations. Patients were stratified into 3 groups at each position: lower-width (<½ SD below mean), middle-width (within ½ SD of mean), and upper-width (>½ SD above mean). Multivariable regression was used to evaluate associations of labral width with patient-reported outcomes and reoperation rate.

RESULTS

Seventy-three patients (age: 41.0 ± 12.0 years; 68.5% female) were included. Inter-rater reliability for labral width measurements was high at all positions (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.94-0.96). There were no significant intergroup differences in mHHS/NAHS improvement (P > .05) or in achievement rates of MCID/SCB/PASS at each clockface position (P > .05). Eleven patients (15.1%) underwent arthroscopic revision and 4 patients (5.5%) converted to total hip arthroplasty. Multivariable analysis found lower-width groups at 11:30 (odds ratio 1.75, P = .02) and 3:00 (odds ratio 1.59, P = .04) positions to have increased odds of revision within 5 years; however, labral width was not associated with 5-year improvement in mHHS/NAHS, achievement of MCID/PASS/SCB, or conversion to total hip arthroplasty (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Hip labral width <½ SD below the mean measured on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging at 11:30- and 3:00-clockface positions was associated with increased odds of reoperation after arthroscopic labral repair and treatment of FAIS. Labral width was not associated with 5-year improvement of mHHS, NAHS, achievement of clinical thresholds, or conversion to arthroplasty.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case series.

Labral repair, reconstruction, and augmentation improve postoperative outcomes in patients with irreparable or hypoplastic labra: A systematic review

PURPOSE

To review the postoperative outcomes of arthroscopic surgical options in treating irreparable and hypoplastic labrum of the hip.

METHODS

Three online databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE) were searched from database inception to June 27, 2023 to identify literature on treatment strategies for hypoplastic/irreparable acetabular labrum. Data pertaining to classification of irreparable tears or labral hypoplasia, indication for surgery, description of treatment, radiographic findings, and clinical outcomes were recorded and described. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed by the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria.

RESULTS

Seven level IV case series, eleven level III retrospective cohort studies, and two level II prospective cohort studies comprising 1937 patients were included for analysis. Studies were divided into an irreparable labral group comprising 1002 patients and a hypoplastic labral group comprising 935 patients. Treatments included repair, augmentation, or reconstruction. In the irreparable group, 12 studies recorded improvement of modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) with preoperative scores ranging from 50.3 to 67.3 and postoperative scores ranging from 76.2 to 95.0. The rate of conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) and rate of revision arthroscopy were 6.6% and 5.9%, respectively across all studies. In the hypoplastic group, two studies that focused on repair noted no statistical difference in mHHS for repair in hypoplastic labrum vs repair in non-hypoplastic labrum. One study showed that there was a difference in post-operative mHHS for labral repair for hypoplastic vs non-hypoplastic labrum, with repair in non-hypoplastic labrum showing superior mHHS (p ​< ​0.001).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this review suggest that treatment of irreparable labra with reconstruction or augmentation results in improved patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). For the hypoplastic labrum, primary repair also results in improvement in PROMs. Future studies focusing on the hypoplastic labra alone with an appropriate control group, rather than irreparable labral tears, are needed to properly assess patient outcomes and guide surgical indications.

No Difference in Most Reported Outcome Measures for Allograft Versus Autograft for Hip Labral Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Comparative Studies

PURPOSE

To systematically review studies comparing outcomes of allograft versus autograft for hip labral reconstruction.

METHODS

A systematic review following guidelines established by PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) was performed in 3 databases using the terms "labrum," "hip," "acetabulum," "reconstruction," "augmentation," "allograft," and "autograft." Data on study characteristics, patient demographic characteristics, follow-up time, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), rates of revision surgery, and rates of conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) were collected.

RESULTS

Three studies were included, with Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS) scores ranging from 17 to 23. Among 92 patients receiving allografts, the mean ages ranged from 30.6 to 34.8 years; mean follow-up times, from 34.6 to 66.1 months; revision rates, from 0% to 23.6%; and conversion-to-THA rates, from 0% to 20%. Among 185 patients receiving autografts, the mean ages ranged from 34.6 to 35.9 years; mean follow-up times, from 32.7 to 80.8 months; revision rates, from 0% to 7.3%; and conversion-to-THA rates, from 0% to 6.7%. One study reported significantly higher revision rates in the allograft group. All studies reported no statistically significant differences in postoperative PROs, and all postoperative PROs significantly improved compared with preoperative PROs. Rates of achievement of the minimal clinically important difference and patient acceptable symptomatic state, reported by 1 study, were statistically similar between the 2 groups and ranged from 55.6% to 100% for the allograft group and from 53.8% to 84.6% for the autograft group.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no significant differences between allograft and autograft patients in terms of postoperative PROs; however, all PRO measures were slightly higher in allograft patients. Both revision and conversion-to-THA rates were higher in allograft patients in 2 studies, with the level of significance being reached in terms of revision in 1 study. The third study reported zero revisions and conversions to THA in allograft and autograft patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, systematic review of Level II and III studies.

Sonography-Based Determination of Hip Joint Anterior Alpha-Angle: A Reliable and Reproducible Method

PURPOSE

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a known risk factor for hip osteoarthritis. The gold standard for diagnostics is X-ray and MRI. The accuracy of hip joint alpha angle measurements obtained using sonography is equal to measurements in MRI for patients with cam impingement of the hip joint.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with hip pain and MRI and sonography were evaluated between January 2015 and December 2019 in a single center. Musculoskeletal sonography was performed according to the DEGUM guidelines by ultrasound-certified specialists. Measurements were repeated three times by two independent investigators.

RESULTS

285 patients were screened, and 110 patients (49 females, 61 males) met the inclusion criteria. The mean age at time of investigation of 54 left and 56 right hip joints was 54.2 years. 1320 measurements were performed. The mean alpha angle was 50.7° in MRI and 50.4° in sonography with a mean difference of 0.28° (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Determining hip alpha angle using sonography is a safe and reproducible method. No statistically significant differences between results in MRI and sonography could be seen. Although this is a retrospective, single-center study including only Caucasian mid-Europeans and with the known limitations of ultrasound imaging, it nevertheless shows that sonography can be used as a simple, cheap, and fast technique to assess the hip alpha angle without losing diagnostic quality.

Labral Degeneration Predicts Inferior Mid-Term Outcomes in Hip Labral Repair: A Multicenter Comparative Analysis

PURPOSE

To analyze and compare the mid-term outcomes of hip arthroscopy for patients with and without labral degeneration from multiple orthopaedic centers. The purpose of this research is to develop an understanding of the impacts of labral degeneration on patient outcomes following arthroscopic treatment of labral tears.

METHODS

A prospective multicenter hip arthroscopy registry was queried for primary surgeries from January 2014 to October 2017 with completed 2-year International Hip Outcome Tool-12 (iHOT-12) reports. Patients were placed into cohorts based on the presence or absence of labral degeneration noted intraoperatively during hip arthroscopy. Degeneration was defined as yellowing, ossification, or calcification present in at least 50% of the labrum. Differences in baseline variation between groups were assessed with a Wilcoxon rank-sum test or χ² test. Two-year outcomes were assessed with iHOT-12. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted while controlling for age, body mass index, sex, and preoperative iHOT-12 scores to identify significant predictors of achieving the clinically significant thresholds of minimal clinically important difference, substantial clinical benefit, and patient-acceptable symptom scale.

RESULTS

In total, 735 patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 613 had complete outcomes information. Relative to the control group, the labral degeneration group was significantly older (mean age 44 ± 11 years vs 33 ± 12 years; P < .01). Both groups experienced statistically significant improvement in iHOT-12 scores from baseline to final follow-up (P < .001); however, patients with labral degeneration reported inferior 2-year iHOT-12 scores when compared with patients without degeneration (P < .001). In the logistic regression models, labral degeneration was a significant negative predictor of achieving iHOT-12 minimal clinically important difference (odds ratio [OR] 0.47; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.28-0.79), patient acceptable symptom state (OR 0.50; 95 CI 0.32-0.77), and substantial clinical benefit (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.37-0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study conclude that patients with nondegenerative labral tissue at the time of repair have superior patient-reported outcomes at mid-term follow-up. The presence of labral degeneration was a negative predictor of achieving clinically significant thresholds after controlling for patient age, body mass index, sex, and baseline iHOT-12 scores.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, retrospective comparative prognostic trial.

Editorial Commentary: Surgeons Planning Hip Labral Arthroscopic Repair Should Have a Backup Plan of Labral Reconstruction or Augmentation Based on Intraoperative Labral Degeneration, Hypoplasia, or Ossification

The arena of hip arthroscopy has seen leaps in practices over the past decade, evolving from surgical debridement of the labrum to improvements in techniques which now allow repair, augmentation, and circumferential reconstruction. But as the operating theater continues to change its act, so too must the preoperative choreography. Recent advancements in the understanding of preoperative risk factors for failure of primary labral repair have identified the diminutive or hypoplastic labra on prescreening magnetic resonance imaging as a negative predictor of success. While this quantitative assessment predicts the anatomical coverage of the labrum, we are still limited in our ability to qualify the latter's tissue substance preoperatively. Ossified or degenerative labra may not have the inherent functional capacity to restore the suction seal of the hip in a primary repair setting. If the applause from the audience fails to reach a significant threshold, we must rethink our act, and that begins with the choreography. The next step in hip arthroscopy is determining if a primary augmentation or reconstruction, in lieu of primary repair, warrants further consideration. Until we develop reliable methods of quantifying and qualifying the labral tissue, both preoperatively and optimally, we should establish backup for surprises encountered while on the "stage."

The minimal clinically important difference for the nonarthritic hip score at 2-years following hip arthroscopy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine and establish the MCID for the NAHS at 2 years in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS).

METHODS

Patients that underwent primary hip arthroscopy for FAIS between 2010 and 2016 were analyzed for eligibility. Data were collected from a single surgeon's hip arthroscopy database. MCID was calculated for the NAHS utilizing a distribution-based method.

RESULTS

The study included 298 patients (184 females) with an average age of 40.4 ± 13.0 years and average body mass index (BMI) of 25.7 ± 4.2 kg/m². At baseline, the cohort's average NAHS score was 48.7 ± 13.6 and demonstrated an improvement of 36.5 ± 17.0 for NAHS at follow-up. This resulted in MCID values of + 8.5 for NAHS.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to report the MCID (+ 8.5) for NAHS following primary hip arthroscopy, and as such, is a valuable contribution to future hip arthroscopy research.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

To a Centrality of Compassion: Operationalizing the Emancipatory Theory of Compassion

The emancipatory theory of compassion, created by Dr Jane Georges, assumes the universality of suffering (physical, psychoemotional, socioeconomic, or biopolitical), and the means by which suffering can be alleviated: compassion. The theory also assumes that nurses can knowingly or unknowingly create environments in which suffering is perpetuated. Through critical review of Georges' work and major caring theories, an operationalized model was developed with which nurses may frame inquiry and practice focused on compassion, the alleviation of suffering through the deconstruction of power relations, and the promotion of health equity, social justice, and human rights.

Comparable Minimum 2-Year Patient-Reported Outcome Scores Between Circumferential and Segmental Labral Reconstruction for the Management of Irreparable Labral Tear and Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome in the Primary Setting: A Propensity-Matched Study

PURPOSE

To compare minimum 2-year follow-up patient-reported outcome scores (PROs) in patients who underwent primary acetabular circumferential and segmental labral reconstruction for irreparable labral tears and femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS).

METHODS

Data were reviewed from August 2010 to December 2017. Patients with primary labral reconstruction and minimum 2-year follow-up for the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score-Sports Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain were included. Circumferential and segmental reconstruction were selected in each case based on the extent of the labral pathology. Exclusion criteria were previous ipsilateral hip surgery/conditions, dysplasia, or Tönnis grade >1. Patients were propensity matched 1:1 based on age, sex, and body mass index. Secondary surgeries were reported. The P value was set at <.05.

RESULTS

In total, 144 hips were eligible, and 17 hips were lost to follow-up, leaving 127 hips (88.2%) for analysis. Eighty hips underwent a segmental reconstruction, and 47 hips underwent a circumferential reconstruction. Forty-seven hips with circumferential reconstruction were matched to 47 hips with segmental reconstruction. The average follow-up and age for the segmental and circumferential groups were 29.0 ± 7.8 and 27.9 ± 7.0 months (P = .732) and 43.1 ± 9.4 and 44.7 ± 10.2 years (P = .442) respectively. The segmental and circumferential groups were 48.9% and 51.1% female, respectively. The groups achieved significant and comparable improvement for all PROs and rates of secondary surgeries. No differences were found for achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and the patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS). The MCIDs for the segmental and circumferential groups were 76.7% and 77.8% for the mHHS, 64.9% and 77.8% for the HOS-SSS, 71.1% and 68.9% for the VAS, and 68.9% and 73.9% for the NAHS, respectively. The PASSs for the segmental and circumferential groups were 78.3% and 73.3% for the mHHS, 55.3% and 55.0% for the HOS-SSS, and 75.6% and 71.1% for the International Hip Outcome Tool 12, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

At minimum 2-year follow-up, patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for either circumferential or segmental labral reconstruction for irreparable labra and FAIS reported significant improvement and similar postoperative scores for all PROs, with no difference in psychometric outcomes and rate of secondary surgeries. A customized approach, using the extent of the irreparable labral tear, seems to be an appropriate strategy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative therapeutic trial.

Impact of bone deformities and labral and cartilage lesions on early functional results of arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement

INTRODUCTION

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a frequent cause of inguinal pain. Treatment failure rates range between 2.9% and 13.2%. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of preoperative bone deformities (BD), labral lesions (LL) and cartilage lesions (CL) on clinical results of arthroscopic treatment of FAI.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A prospective operational study included patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI. All patients had full radiographic work-up and clinical assessment on Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), preoperatively and at 1year. Hips with Tönnis grade>1, coxa profunda [VCE (vertical center edge angle)>35°] or borderline dysplasia (VCE<25°) were excluded. The Czerny classification was used for the labrum and the Beck classification for the cartilage. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of preoperative BD, LL and CL on clinical results of arthroscopic treatment of FAI. The study hypothesis was that type of lesion does not influence early functional results at 1year, whatever the technique used for the labrum.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-seven patients were included. Mean preoperative NAHS was 59.1±17.5. There were 145 patients with labral suture (73.6%), 42 with labral debridement (21.3%) and 10 with conservative treatment (5.1%). At 1year, mean NAHS was 88.1±15.3: i.e., a significant improvement (p<2.2×10^-16). Improvement was also significant in the debridement, non-operative and suture subgroups. BD showed significant correction in the overall population (alpha angle 48.2° postoperatively versus 66.7° preoperatively; crossing sign in 14.5% versus 62.9% of cases). There were no significant differences in functional scores according to extension or type of labral or cartilage lesion. At follow-up, 3 patients (1.5%) required repeat arthroscopy.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that early functional results of arthroscopic treatment of FAI were unaffected by the severity of bone deformity (alpha and VCE angles), or extension or type of labral or cartilage lesion. Regardless of BD, LL and CL, 1-year clinical progression was satisfactory when all bone deformities were treated by the arthroscopic procedure.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV; prospective non-comparative study.

Labral Tear Management in Patients Aged 40 Years and Older Undergoing Primary Hip Arthroscopy: A Propensity-Matched Case-Control Study With Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

BACKGROUND

Previous literature has suggested that primary acetabular labral reconstruction leads to lower secondary surgery rates than does labral repair for patients aged ≥40 years.

PURPOSE

To report minimum 2-year patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores, survivorship, and secondary surgeries in patients aged ≥40 years who underwent primary hip arthroscopy with labral reconstruction compared with a propensity-matched primary labral repair group.

STUDY DESIGN

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed for patients who underwent a primary hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome between January 2014 and June 2018. Patients aged ≥40 years who underwent a labral reconstruction or a labral repair and had preoperative and minimum 2-year PROs for the modified Harris Hip Score, Nonarthritic Hip Score, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain were included. Patients with previous ipsilateral hip conditions and surgery, Tönnis grade >1, hip dysplasia, or workers' compensation status were excluded. Patients in the reconstruction group were propensity matched 1:2 to patients in the repair group based on age, sex, and body mass index. Secondary surgeries and achievement of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), patient acceptable symptom state (PASS), and maximum outcome improvement (MOI) were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 53 and 106 hips were included in the labral reconstruction and repair groups, respectively. The average follow-up time was 37.6 months. The average ages for the reconstruction and repair groups were 48.01 ± 5.4 years and 48.61 ± 6.0 years, respectively. Both groups achieved significant improvements in all PROs at a minimum of 2 years, with similar achievements of MCID, PASS, and MOI, and comparable secondary surgery rates.

CONCLUSION

Patients aged ≥40 years who received primary labral repair and primary labral reconstruction achieved similar significant improvements in all PROs, VAS pain, and patient satisfaction at the minimum 2-year follow-up, with comparable rates of secondary surgeries and achieving MCID, PASS, and MOI. Based on these findings, labral repair remains the gold standard treatment for viable labrum in this population group, while reconstruction is a useful alternative for irreparable labrum.

In search of labral restoration function with hip arthroscopy: outcomes of hip labral reconstruction versus labral repair: a systematic review

PURPOSE

To perform a systematic review comparing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients who underwent hip arthroscopy with labral repair versus labral reconstruction in the setting of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) and labral tears.

METHODS

A systematic review of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases was performed in May 2020 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and checklist. Articles were included in the analysis if they compared PROs between a labral repair and labral reconstruction cohort. For all PROs, the standardised mean difference (SMD) was calculated to compare the effect size of labral repair and labral reconstruction.

RESULTS

10 comparative studies, with 582 reconstruction cases and 631 repair cases, were included in this analysis. The mean age for the reconstruction and the repair groups ranged from 27.0 years to 52.6 years and 27.5 years to 47.0 years, respectively. The mean follow-up for the reconstruction and the repair groups ranged from 24.0 months to 66.0 months and 24.0 months to 71.0 months, respectively. The modified Harris Hip Scores (mHHS) was favourable in 8 reconstruction studies (range 80.4-95.0) and 9 repair studies (range 84.1-93.0). Average NAHS scores for the repair and reconstruction cohorts ranged from 77.9-88.6 and 73.9-92.4, respectively. Additionally, the effect sizes regarding NAHS and mHHS scores were large (SMD > 0.8) in both the reconstruction and repair groups for the majority of studies. Finally, reconstruction patients underwent a subsequent total hip arthroplasty (THA) at a slightly higher rate.

CONCLUSIONS

In the setting of FAIS and labral tears, patients who underwent hip arthroscopy may expect significant improvement in PROs at short-term follow-up with either labral repair or labral reconstruction. Although, not statistically significant, the repair group trended towards higher scores and exhibited a lower risk of conversion to THA.

Arthroscopic Circumferential Acetabular Labral Reconstruction for Irreparable Labra in the Revision Setting: Patient-Reported Outcome Scores and Rate of Achieving the Minimal Clinically Important Difference at a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity in the literature reporting patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) after revision hip arthroscopic surgery with circumferential labral reconstruction.

PURPOSE

To report minimum 2-year PRO scores and the rate of achieving the MCID in patients who underwent revision hip arthroscopic surgery with circumferential labral reconstruction in the setting of irreparable labral tears.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Data were retrospectively reviewed for all patients who underwent revision hip arthroscopic surgery between February 2016 and November 2017. Patients were included if they had undergone circumferential labral reconstruction and had preoperative and postoperative scores for the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score Sport-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12), 12-Item Short Form Health Survey physical and mental components (SF-12 P and SF-12 M, respectively), Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey physical and mental components (VR-12 P and VR-12 M, respectively), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. Exclusion criteria were Tönnis grade >1, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, fractures, hip dysplasia, or revision labral treatment different from circumferential labral reconstruction. The MCID was calculated. Secondary surgical procedures were documented.

RESULTS

A total of 26 hips (26 patients; 61.5% female) were included. The mean age and body mass index were 33.2 ± 10.4 years and 25.5 ± 4.9, respectively. Significant improvements were reported for the mHHS (17.0 ± 19.5; P = .0002), NAHS (17.9 ± 16.7; P < .0001), HOS-SSS (21.7 ± 23.1; P = .0005), VAS (-2.2 ± 3.0; P = .006), iHOT-12 (25.8 ± 32.5; P = .0007), SF-12 P (8.5 ± 11.2; P = .001), and VR-12 P (8.9 ± 11.6; P = .001). Rates of meeting the MCID for the mHHS, NAHS, HOS-SSS, iHOT-12, and VAS were 76.9%, 80.0%, 65.0%, 62.5%, and 69.2%, respectively. No case of re-revision arthroscopic surgery was documented, but 1 case of conversion to total hip arthroplasty was documented at 38.6 months.

CONCLUSION

In the setting of revision hip arthroscopic surgery and irreparable labral tears, circumferential labral reconstruction resulted in significant improvements in all PRO and VAS scores at a minimum 2-year follow-up with a high rate of achieving the MCID.

Hip Arthroscopy Versus Physical Therapy for the Treatment of Symptomatic Acetabular Labral Tears in Patients Older Than 40 Years: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Previous observational studies have suggested poor results of arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of acetabular labral tears in patients older than 40 years.

PURPOSE

To compare hip arthroscopy versus nonoperative management for symptomatic labral tears in patients older than 40 years who have limited radiographic osteoarthritis.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

METHODS

In this single-surgeon, parallel randomized controlled trial, patients older than 40 years who had symptomatic, MRI-confirmed labral tears and limited radiographic osteoarthritis (Tönnis grades 0-2) were randomized 1:1 to arthroscopic surgery with postoperative physical therapy (SPT) or physical therapy alone (PTA) using an electronic randomization program. PTA patients who achieved unsatisfactory improvement were permitted to cross over to SPT after completing ≥14 weeks of physical therapy. The primary outcomes were International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-33) and modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) at 12 months after randomization, and secondary outcomes included other patient-reported outcome measures and the visual analog scale. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months after randomization. Primary analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis using linear mixed-effect models. Sensitivity analyses included modified as-treated analysis and treatment-failure analysis. Due to infeasibility, patients and health care providers were both unblinded.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 90 patients (46 [51.1%] SPT; 44 [48.9%] PTA); of these, 81 patients (42 [51.9%] SPT; 39 (48.1%) PTA) completed 12-month follow-up. A total of 28 of the 44 PTA patients crossed over to SPT within the study period (63.6% crossover). Intention-to-treat analysis revealed significantly greater iHOT-33 scores (+12.11; P = .007) and mHHS scores (+6.99 points; P = .04) in the SPT group than the PTA group at 12 months. Modified as-treated analysis revealed that these differences exceeded the minimal clinically important difference of 10.0 points (SPT-PTA iHOT-33, +11.95) and 8.0 points (SPT-PTA mHHS, +9.76), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In patients older than 40 years with limited osteoarthritis, arthroscopic acetabular labral repair with postoperative physical therapy led to better outcomes than physical therapy alone. Thus, age over 40 years should not be considered a contraindication to arthroscopic acetabular labral repair.

REGISTRATION

NCT03909178 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Association between severity of hip chondrolabral injuries, dynamic hip muscle strength and quality of life: A cross-sectional study in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome scheduled for hip arthroscopy

BACKGROUND

We assessed the association between: the severity of hip chondral or labral pathology with dynamic hip muscle strength or quality of life in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome scheduled for hip arthroscopy. We also assessed the association between dynamic hip muscle strength with quality of life.

METHODS

Eighty-three participants with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome scheduled for hip arthroscopy were included. We measured dynamic hip abduction and adduction muscle strength with an isokinetic dynamometer (Nm/kg), and quality of life with the iHoT-33 questionnaire. The severity of hip chondrolabral pathologies was scored using the modified Beck classification. Linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between severity of hip chondral or labral pathology with dynamic hip muscle strength and quality of life.

FINDINGS

The regression analyses showed no association between the (i) severity of hip chondral (adjusted r²: 0.14) or labral (adjusted r²: 0.08) pathology and quality of life (P > 0.05), (ii) between the severity of hip chondral or labral pathology and dynamic hip abduction and adduction muscle strength (P > 0.05). Significant correlation was observed for quality of life and hip abduction (adjusted r²:0.29; P < 0.001) or adduction (adjusted r²: 0.32; P < 0.001) muscle strength.

INTERPRETATION

The severity of hip chondral or labral pathologies were not associated with quality of life or dynamic hip muscle strength in participants with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. Greater dynamic hip abduction and adduction muscle strength were associated with better quality of life in participants with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome scheduled for hip arthroscopy.

Characterizing irreparable: a retrospective machine learning analysis of patients who undergo primary labral reconstruction during hip arthroscopy

Hip labrum reconstruction has been demonstrated to be a viable option for patients with irreparable labral tears. However, there is a lack of data analyzing patient and labral characteristics in those undergoing primary hip labral reconstruction. To use a machine learning technique to subcategorize patients who underwent labral reconstruction during primary hip arthroscopy and to determine if there may be varying pathology resulting in severe labral damage. Patients who underwent primary labral reconstruction between 2015 and 2018 were included. Patients with a prior ipsilateral hip surgery, who were unwilling to participate, or had incomplete preoperative data were excluded. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering analysis was conducted to identify the subgroups of patients. A comparison was performed for preoperative characteristics, intraoperative findings and procedures. Of the 191 patients who underwent primary labral reconstruction and were eligible, 174 were included in the clustering analysis. Two distinct groups were identified (Group 1: 112 patients, 64.4%; Group 2: 62 patients, 35.6%). Group 1 had a significantly higher proportion of females (61.6% versus 43.5%; P &lt; 0.05), combined Seldes I and II labral tears (94.6% versus 54.8%; P &lt; 0.05), and larger tears. Group 2 had a significantly higher rate of labral calcification (82.3% versus 3.6%; P &lt; 0.05). The results of this study demonstrate two distinct groups of patients who underwent primary hip labral reconstruction: those with severe labral damage, and those with a calcified labrum. Approximately two-thirds were placed in the group with severe labral damage, while the other third had diminished quality secondary to calcific changes. Retrospective comparative trial; Level of Evidence, 3.

Femoroacetabular Impingement and Management of Labral Tears in the Athlete

Femoroacetabular impingement and associated labral tearing is a common source of hip pain in athletes. This article reviews the hip joint anatomy and complex interplay between alterations on the femoral and acetabular sides, in addition to evaluation of soft tissue stabilizers and spinopelvic parameters. Symptom management with a focus on arthroscopic treatment of abnormal bony morphology and labral repair or reconstruction is discussed. In select patients with persistent pain who have failed conservative measures, hip arthroscopy with correction of bony impingement and labral repair or reconstruction has yielded good to excellent results in recreational and professional athletes.

Modified Pull-Through Technique for Hip Labral Reconstruction Using A Suture Suspension Bridge

Preservation of hip labral function is a primary goal in hip preservation surgery. Arthroscopic labral reconstruction in the hip is an alternative procedure for irreparable labrum in the nonarthritic hip population, with beneficial outcomes reported. Several challenges occur during labral reconstruction that make the procedure more difficult. The first is measuring the labral defect and matching the graft perfectly to the patient. The second is subsequent suture fixation and passage around the graft when it is loose within the joint. We propose a modification to the pull-through technique that both eliminates the inaccuracies in graft measurement and minimizes graft damage by eliminating the step of suture passage around the graft. This technique can be used for both segmental reconstruction or circumferential reconstruction of the hip labrum and can also accommodate knotless and knot-tied anchors. The advantages of this technique are increased procedure accuracy and efficiency.

Arthroscopic acetabular labral reconstruction: a review

The function and importance of the acetabular labrum in hip biomechanics have been determined. A labral tear is one of the most common findings in the hip preservation field, commonly associated with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome. It has been established that the restoration of labral anatomy and function are key factors to improve patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs) and psychometric tools following arthroscopic hip arthroscopy in the context of FAI syndrome. Labral repair or refixation is currently the gold-standard surgical option when facing labral tears, with clinical mid to long-term data supporting its use. Labral selective debridement has proven to be a valid alternative in selective patients. Acetabular labral reconstruction has risen as an alternative to labral excision or resection when repair is not an option due to labral tissue deficiency. Restoring the labral sealing mechanism is the goal behind the acetabular labral reconstruction. It has been proven that labral reconstruction leads to superior PROMs when compared with resection. This review presents an analysis of the indications, techniques, and outcomes for arthroscopic acetabular labral reconstruction.

Indications and Outcomes for Arthroscopic Hip Labral Reconstruction With Autografts: A Systematic Review

Background: The acetabular labrum plays a major role in hip function and stability. The gold standard treatment for labral tears is labral repair, but in cases where tissue is not amenable to repair, reconstruction has been demonstrated to provide superior outcomes compared to debridement. Many types of grafts have been used for reconstruction with good to excellent outcomes. Autograft options include iliotibial band (ITB), semitendinosus, and indirect head of the rectus femoris tendon, while allografts have included fascia lata and gracilis tendon allografts.

Questions/Purposes: As allografts are not always readily available and have some inherent disadvantages, the aims of this systematic review were to assess (1) indications for labral reconstruction and (2) summarize outcomes, complications, and reoperation rates after arthroscopic labral reconstruction with autografts.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed using six databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, and Google Scholar) to identify studies reporting outcomes for arthroscopic labral reconstruction utilizing autografts, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Study design, patient demographics, autograft choice, complications, donor site morbidity, reoperation rates, conversion to arthroplasty, and patient reported outcomes were extracted and reported.

Results: Seven studies were identified for inclusion with a total of 402 patients (173 females, age range 16–72, follow-up range 12–120 months). The most commonly reported functional outcome score was the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), which was reported in six of seven studies. Preoperative mHHS ranged from 56 to 67.3 and improved postoperatively to a range of 81.4–97.8. Conversion to total hip arthroplasty and reoperation rates ranged from 0 to 13.2% and 0 to 11%, respectively. The most common indication for labral reconstruction was an irreparable labrum. Autografts utilized included ITB, hamstring tendons, indirect head of rectus femoris, and capsular tissue.

Conclusions: Arthroscopic autograft reconstruction of the acetabular labrum results in significant improvement in the short- and mid-term patient reported outcomes, for properly selected patients presenting with pain and functional limitation in the hip due to an irreparable labral injury.

Circumferential Labral Reconstruction for Irreparable Labral Tears in the Primary Setting: Minimum 2-Year Outcomes With a Nested Matched-Pair Labral Repair Control Group

PURPOSE

(1) To report minimum 2-year patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores of primary circumferential acetabular labral reconstruction using anterior tibialis allograft and the knotless pull-through technique in the setting of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) and irreparable labral tears and (2) to compare these PROs with a matched-pair primary labral repair group.

METHODS

Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. Patients were included if they underwent primary circumferential labral reconstruction with anterior tibialis tendon allograft during February 2016 to April 2017 for irreparable labral tears and FAIS and had preoperative and minimum 2-year follow-up for modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip Outcome Score-Sport-Specific Subscale, Non-arthritic Hip Score, International Hip Outcome Tool 12 (iHOT-12), 12-Item Short Form Health Survey physical component and mental component, Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey physical component and mental component, and visual analog scale for pain. The exclusion criteria were previous ipsilateral hip conditions or surgical procedures, Tönnis grade 2 or higher, or dysplasia (lateral center-edge angle ≤ 18°). Labral tears were considered irreparable if the labrum appeared (1) to be mostly or completely calcified and (2) to be inadequate (nonviable) and not amenable for labral repair. The reconstruction group was matched 1:3 based on age, sex, and body mass index to a benchmark control group of hips undergoing labral repair from the same period. The minimal clinically important difference and patient acceptable symptomatic state for the mHHS and iHOT-12 score were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 37 hips (37 patients) underwent circumferential labral reconstruction. There were 19 female patients (51.4%) and 18 male patients (48.6%). The mean age was 45.6 ± 11.6 years, and the average body mass index was 27.1 ± 5. At minimum 2-year follow-up, the circumferential labral reconstruction group showed statistically significant improvements in the mHHS, Non-arthritic Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score-Sport-Specific Subscale, iHOT-12 score, and visual analog scale score. All hips in the reconstruction group were successfully matched to 111 labral repair hips. At latest follow-up, improvements in all PROs between the 2 groups were comparable. The revision rates were 0% and 3.6% in the reconstruction and repair groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

After primary hip arthroscopy, primary circumferential labral reconstruction using anterior tibialis allograft and the knotless pull-through technique in the setting of FAIS and irreparable labral tears resulted in significant improvements in several PROs at minimum 2-year follow-up and high patient satisfaction. Primary circumferential labral reconstruction reached comparable functional outcomes to those of a benchmark matched-pair primary labral repair control group.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, case-control study.

Hip Arthroscopy for Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis Using a Capsulotomy-First Approach

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a systematic disease of unknown etiology characterized by ossification at the site of spine and major joints entheses, including the hip. Ossified connective tissue may cause pain and joint stiffness, which may require surgical intervention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical, radiographic, and arthroscopic presentation and surgical outcomes of patients with DISH involving the hips. Fourteen hips in 9 patients (mean±SD age, 63±14 years; range, 35-76 years) with overcoverage of the femoral head by DISH were retrospectively reviewed. For all joints, a transverse, capsulotomy-first approach was performed due to an inability to access the central compartment by traction of the lower extremity. After arthroscopic resection of the ossified lesion, labral reconstruction was performed with an iliotibial band autograft. For clinical evaluation, patient-reported outcome scores (modified Harris Hip Score [mHHS], Nonarthritic Hip Score [NAHS], International Hip Outcome Tool-12 [iHot-12], visual analog scale [VAS] pain score, and VAS satisfaction score) were obtained. Arthroscopically, circumferential labral damage with no or mild articular cartilage damage was observed. Mean NAHS, iHot-12 score, and VAS satisfaction score improved significantly (47 to 56, 43 to 71, and 21 to 72, respectively; P<.05). Mean mHHS and VAS pain score did not reach significance but did improve (65 to 92 and 45 to 78, respectively). Using a transverse, capsulotomy-first approach for arthroscopic hip surgery for patients with DISH yields successful outcomes in patient-reported outcome measures and satisfaction, despite minor gains in hip range of motion. [Orthopedics. 2020;43(5):e369-e377.].

Radiographic and Demographic Factors Can Predict the Need for Primary Labral Reconstruction in Hip Arthroscopic Surgery: A Predictive Model Using 1398 Hips

BACKGROUND

Labral tears are the most common findings in patients with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). The restoration of labral function is critical, and labral reconstruction has been proposed as an alternative for irreparable tears.

PURPOSE

To compare preoperative radiographic measurements and demographics of patients who underwent primary arthroscopic labral reconstruction versus primary labral repair and to identify factors that are predictive of the need for reconstruction.

STUDY DESIGN

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

Patients who underwent their index hip arthroscopic procedure between October 2010 and November 2018 and underwent either labral reconstruction or repair were included in the study. A total of 18 variables (14 radiographic and 4 demographic) were assessed in a bivariate comparison and analyzed in a multivariate logistic model.

RESULTS

A total of 251 primary reconstruction and 1147 primary repair procedures were included. The logistic model selected age, body mass index (BMI), Tönnis grade, lateral center-edge angle (LCEA), and alpha angle. The odds of reconstruction were 2.52 times higher in patients with Tönnis grade 1 than 0 (odds ratio [OR], 2.52 [95% CI, 1.82-3.49]). Each additional degree in the LCEA was associated with a 6% increase in the odds of reconstruction (OR, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.04-1.09]) and 4% for each additional degree in the alpha angle (OR, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.03-1.05]). Higher age (per log 10 unit) and BMI also increased the likelihood of reconstruction (OR, 11.29 [95% CI, 4.23-30.10] and OR, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.00-1.06], respectively).

CONCLUSION

In a multivariate analysis, factors identified as preoperative predictors for primary arthroscopic labral reconstruction in the setting of FAI and labral tears were Tönnis grade, LCEA, age, and BMI. These predictive factors may be useful for the clinician in determining the preoperative likelihood of primary labral reconstruction.