The Hip Suction Seal, Part I: The Role of Acetabular Labral Height on Hip Distractive Stability

Abstract

Background: The acetabular labrum has been found to provide a significant contribution to the distractive stability of the hip. However, the influence of labral height on hip suction seal biomechanics is not known. Hypothesis: The smaller height of acetabular labrum is associated with decreased distractive stability. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: A total of 23 fresh-frozen cadaveric hemipelvises were used in this study. Hips with acetabular dysplasia or femoroacetabular impingement–related bony morphologic features, intra-articular pathology, or no measurable suction seal were excluded. Before testing, each specimen’s hip capsule was removed, a pressure sensor was placed intra-articularly, and the hip was fixed in a heated saline bath. Labral size was measured by use of a digital caliper. Maximum distraction force, distance to suction seal rupture, and peak negative pressure were recorded while the hip underwent distraction at a rate of 0.5 mm/s. Correlations between factors were analyzed using the Spearman rho, and differences between groups were detected using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Of 23 hips, 12 satisfied inclusion criteria. The maximum distraction force and peak negative pressure were significantly correlated (R = −0.83; P = .001). Labral height was largely correlated with all suction seal parameters (maximum distraction force, R = 0.69, P = .013; distance to suction seal rupture, R = 0.55, P = .063; peak negative pressure, R = −0.62, P = .031). Labral height less than 6 mm was observed in 5 hips, with a mean height of 6.48 mm (SD, 2.65 mm; range, 2.62-11.90 mm; 95% CI, 4.80-8.17 mm). Compared with the 7 hips with larger labra (>6 mm), the hips with smaller labra had significantly shorter distance to suction seal rupture (median, 2.3 vs 7.2 mm; P = .010) and significantly decreased peak negative pressure (median, −59.3 vs −66.9 kPa; P = .048). Conclusion: Smaller height (<6 mm) of the acetabular labrum was significantly associated with decreased distance to suction seal rupture and decreased peak negative pressure. A new strategy to increase the size of the labrum, such as labral augmentation, could be justified for patients with smaller labra in order to optimize the hip suction seal. Clinical Relevance: The height of the acetabular labrum is correlated with hip suction seal biomechanics. Further studies are required to identify the clinical effects of labral height on hip stability.