Hip Arthroscopy

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Hip Scope Essentials - Peeking Inside Joint

  • Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedure to diagnose & treat hip joint pathologies.
  • Uses an arthroscope (small camera) & specialized instruments via small incisions (portals).
  • Advantages: ↓ pain, ↓ blood loss, ↓ hospital stay, faster recovery vs open surgery.
  • Key Anatomy: Acetabular labrum, femoral head-neck junction, articular cartilage, ligamentum teres.
  • Portals: Anterolateral (AL), anterior (A), posterolateral (PL), distal anterolateral accessory (DALA).

Hip Arthroscopy Portals and Angles

⭐ Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) is a common indication for hip arthroscopy; Cam & Pincer types are key to differentiate for effective treatment planning and surgical correction inside the joint space and peripheral compartment respectively. 📌 CAM (Femoral) & PINCER (Acetabular).

Who Needs Scoping? - The Yes & No List

Indications (YES):

  • FAI (Cam, Pincer)
  • Labral tears
  • Loose bodies
  • Focal chondral defects
  • Lig. teres tears
  • Synovitis (diagnostic/therapeutic)
  • Septic arthritis (lavage)
  • Snapping hip (intra-articular)

Contraindications (NO):

  • Advanced OA (Tönnis > 2 / joint space < 2 mm)
  • Severe hip dysplasia
  • Advanced AVN
  • Active infection (non-septic arthritis context)
  • Ankylosis / severe stiffness

⭐ Most common indication for hip arthroscopy is Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI).

Setting the Stage - Portal Placement Playbook

  • Positioning: Supine (commonest) or lateral decubitus.
  • Traction: Crucial for joint access (8-10 mm distraction); perineal post or postless systems.
  • Imaging: Fluoroscopy (C-arm) is mandatory for guiding portal placement safely. Hip arthroscopy portal landmarks
  • Standard Portals:
    • Anterolateral (AL): Often first, primary viewing.
    • Mid-Anterior (MA): Primary working portal.
    • Posterolateral (PL): Access to posterior compartment.
    • Distal/Proximal accessory portals as needed.
  • Nerve Safety Zones:
    • Anterior: Femoral nerve/artery/vein, LFCN.
    • Posterior: Sciatic nerve.

    ⭐ The Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (LFCN) is the most frequently injured nerve during hip arthroscopy, especially via anterior portals.

Scope & Fix - Common Intra-op Hits

  • FAI (Femoroacetabular Impingement):
    • Cam osteoplasty: Reshaping aspherical femoral head-neck junction.
    • Pincer acetabuloplasty: Trimming overcovered acetabular rim.
  • Labral Tears:
    • Repair: Preferred for viable tissue using suture anchors.
    • Debridement: For irreparable or degenerative tears.
    • Reconstruction: Using autograft/allograft.
  • Chondral Lesions:
    • Chondroplasty: Smoothing frayed cartilage.
    • Microfracture: For small (<2-4 cm²) full-thickness defects, stimulating marrow.
  • Loose Body Removal: Extraction of free fragments.
  • Synovitis: Targeted synovectomy for inflamed synovial tissue.
  • Capsular Management: Plication for iatrogenic instability; capsulotomy/capsulectomy.

⭐ Most common indication: FAI, often coexisting with labral tears. Cam lesion (femoral) more common in young males.

After the Scope - Healing & Hazards

  • Post-Op Recovery:
      • Weight-bearing: Restricted (e.g., partial, crutches) 2-4 weeks, then progressive to full.
      • Bracing: Common for labral repairs.
      • Physiotherapy: Crucial from day 1: gentle ROM, progressing to strengthening exercises.
      • Return to sport: 4-6 months, sport-specific.
  • Complications (Hazards):
      • Nerve palsies: Sciatic (most common, traction), LFCN (portals), Pudendal (perineal post).
      • Iatrogenic: Chondral/labral injury.
      • Fluid extravasation: Rare; risk: abdominal compartment syndrome.
      • Infection: Rare (<1%).
      • DVT/PE: Prophylaxis considered.
      • Heterotopic Ossification (HO): Prophylactic NSAIDs (e.g., Indomethacin) for high-risk.
      • Adhesions, persistent pain, instability.

⭐ Sciatic nerve neurapraxia is the most common neurological complication, often transient, related to traction time/force.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Primary indications: Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) (cam/pincer), labral tears, loose bodies.
  • Key portals: Anterolateral (AL) (initial viewing/instrumentation), Anterior (A), Postero-lateral (PL).
  • Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (LFCN): Most common nerve injury, vulnerable with AL portal.
  • Sciatic nerve at risk with PL portal; Femoral artery/nerve with Anterior portal.
  • Traction is mandatory for joint access; can cause pudendal nerve neuropraxia or perineal complications.
  • Major complications: Nerve injuries (LFCN, sciatic, pudendal), chondral damage, fluid extravasation, heterotopic ossification.
  • Capsular closure is often performed to prevent iatrogenic instability and improve outcomes.

Practice Questions: Hip Arthroscopy

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What is the most common complication after total hip replacement?

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Flashcards: Hip Arthroscopy

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_____ tears present with hip pain and mechanical snapping or locking in patients that are active, have acetabular dyplasia, or femoacetabular impingement.

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

_____ tears present with hip pain and mechanical snapping or locking in patients that are active, have acetabular dyplasia, or femoacetabular impingement.

Hip labral

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