Hip Cartilage Restoration: Available Evidence and Current Trends

Abstract

AbstractTreatment of cartilage pathology is controversial. In the hip, it is even more so as identification and treatment of early cartilage disease are relatively new and little evidence exists. With the advent and more widespread use of hip arthroscopy, easier access to the hip joint is available, and adequate treatment is possible with less morbidity. Many treatment options exist for cartilage lesions including nonoperative treatment, debridement, microfracture, acetabuloplasty, cartilage fixation, cartilage scaffolds, autologous chondrocyte implantation, and osteochondral grafting. While far from definitive, the current evidence suggests that smaller cartilage lesions (< 4 cm2) have good results with most treatments while larger lesions fare better with treatments that produce hyaline-like cartilage. The most cost-effective arthroscopic treatments of smaller cartilage lesions include acetabuloplasty and microfracture, while larger lesions should be considered for autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis or matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation. Larger cartilage lesions with bone disease are more adequately treated with open procedures such as osteochondral grafting or total hip arthroplasty.