Arthroscopic Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement: Early Outcomes Evaluation of Labral Refixation—Repair Versus Debridement (SS-04)

Abstract

Arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) can involve labral debridement or refixation. A consecutive series of patients undergoing labral debridement prior to performing repairs were compared to labral repairs as part of treatment for FAI. There was no difference found in outcomes at up to 2 year follow-up. There have been no studies looking at labral repair versus debridement after arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). We reviewed 71 patients (76 hips) who underwent arthroscopic management of FAI. We reviewed the records of a consecutive group of FAI patients prior to performing repairs, who underwent labral debridement. Patients with labral tears felt to be repairable with our current arthroscopic technique were compared to a consecutive group of FAI patients undergoing labral repair. In the first 34 hips, the labrum was resected (Group 1); in the next 42 hips, the labrum was repaired (Group 2). Preoperative and postoperative evaluation included visual analog pain scoring (VAS), modified Harris Hip scoring (HHS), SF-12 scoring, and radiographic alpha angles. The mean age was 35 years in group 1 and 28 years in group two. Preoperative mean outcomes scores were not significantly different between groups. At most recent follow-up of up to 2 years outcomes were significantly improved (p<0.001) without statistically significant differences between groups; HHS (group 1=83, group 2=82, p=.49), SF-12 (group 1=77, group 2=75, p=.55), VAS (group 1=1.6cm, group 2=1.8cm, p=.63). The alpha angles improved on both AP and lateral radiographs for both groups. There were no significant differences in early outcomes for arthroscopic treatment of FAI between labral debridement and labral repair. Both groups had significant improvement in outcomes at most recent follow-up. Because of the potential importance of the labrum for long term hip joint integrity we continue to advocate preservation of the labrum when surgically managing FAI.