THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS BY ARTHROSCOPIC TECHNIQUE IN OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE HIP

Alexandros Tzaveas
Interbalkan Medical Centre of Thessaloniki
Purpose of the study
To assess the outcome of hip arthroscopy in osteoarthritis and to present the arthroscopic techniques applied in the osteoarthritic hip.
Material and method
The study comprises five patients with osteoarthritis of varying degree who underwent hip arthroscopy. Microfracture, removal of osteochondral fragments, smoothing of the labrum and of the articular cartilage, removal of the cam- and pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement lesion, capsulotomy, capsulectomy and shrinkage of the ligamentum teres were carried out. The patients were reviewed at six weeks and six months and were assessed with the Modified Harris Hip Score and the nonarthritic hip score.
Results
All the patients showed an improvement in their symptoms, with a reduction in pain and improved movement. The limp and the inability to walk long distances did not, however, disappear.
Conclusions
Hip arthroscopy has a place in osteoarthritis of the hip, but it should be decided upon with great care by the doctor and after the patient has been fully informed, so that his expectations are not greater than the outcome that can be expected.