The width of the acetabular labrum has been regarded as a factor that determines effectiveness after hip arthroscopy in multiple recent publications. A new study sought to assess the relationship between the width of the acetabular labrum and outcomes, on the basis of hip outcome scores, in patients who underwent arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement and a labral tear.
The patients were identified from a prospective database, having undergone primary hip arthroscopy for the treatment of an acetabular labral tear and femoroacetabular impingement. The modified Harris Hip Score and Non Arthritic Hip Score hip outcome scores were used, recorded preoperatively and postoperatively over five years. The width of the acetabular labrum was measured on the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and assessed by two independent observers. The patients were classified into 3 groups, with low width, medium width and increased width.
In all, 73 patients were included and there were no statistically significant differences between them. 11 patients (15.1%) underwent revision arthroscopy, while 4 patients (5.5%) underwent total hip arthroplasty.
The authors concluded that an acetabular labral width of less than half the standard deviation of the mean value, as measured on the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging at the 11:30 to 15:00 clock positions, was associated with an increased risk of reoperation after arthroscopic repair of the acetabular labrum and of cam morphology. At the same time, this width was not associated with the patients’ five-year clinical improvement or with conversion to arthroplasty.
Source: Arthroscopy, June 2024
