Borderline hip dysplasia is an indication for arthroscopy. In this group of patients, however, a number of questions about the effectiveness of the procedure remain unanswered.
A new study set out to analyse the outcome of hip arthroscopy in patients with borderline dysplasia, and to establish whether there are differences related to sex. The aim of the study was to assess the outcome using rating scales, and joint survivorship, at a minimum follow-up of five years after surgery.
Patients were selected who had a lateral center-edge angle (LCEA) between 18° and 25°, in the years 2008 to 2018. The exclusion criteria were an angle of less than 18° or greater than 25°, previous surgery on the same joint, and degeneration of the hip greater than grade 1 on the Tönnis classification. The modified Harris Hip Score and the Non-Arthritic Hip Score were also used, together with the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain.
In all, 152 hips were studied, 76 in each group. Similar and comparable results were seen on the rating scales at the minimum follow-up of five years. Clinical improvement, however, was greater in women, while joint survivorship was the same in both groups.
The authors concluded that, at a minimum follow-up of five years, comparison of the results between men and women showed a similar outcome for the two sexes; the clinical benefit for women, however, was greater.
Source: “The American Journal of Sports Medicine”, March 2026