Articular wear patterns observed in hip arthroscopic patients across early disease states. A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to retrospectively analysis intraoperative hip arthroscopic data to observe acetabular, femoral and labral pathology irrespective of hip arthroscopic indication.

Methods: This study represents the largest single retrospective study of 1127 patients between 2008 and 2013. 37.53 years (SD+/- 13.74) with an age range of 12-82.

Results: Localisation of acetabular chondral pathology was widely variable with locations C₁ and D₁ representing the most common regions of damage. Femoral chondral pathology was reasonably evenly distributed with slight predominance at locates C and D. Labral tears predominated in locations C and D. The femoral articular damage was predominantly grade 1, the acetabular articular damage was fairly evenly distributed.

Discussion: Large proportions of wear where observed at the peripheral superior and anterior regions of the lunate surface of the acetabulum in keeping with previous research. However, a large proportion of the wear occurred in the more central regions less consistent with previous research. Our data did not reflect previous research that noted grade 4 acetabular damage frequently extending into superior posterior zones. The superior and anterior regions (C & D) were the predominate areas for labral tears identified within our population group.

Key Words: Acetabular wear patterns, femoral head wear patterns, hip joint, arthroscopy