Arthroscopic Acetabular Microfracture With the Use of Flexible Drills: A Technique Guide

Chondral injuries of the hip joint are often symptomatic and affect patient activity level. Several procedures are available for addressing chondral injuries, including microfracture. Microfracture is a marrow-stimulating procedure, which creates subchondral perforation in the bone, allowing pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells to migrate from the marrow into the chondral defect and form fibrocartilaginous tissue. In the knee, microfracture has been shown to relieve pain symptoms. In the hip, microfracture has been studied to a lesser extent, but published studies have shown promising clinical outcomes. The depth, joint congruity, and geometry of the hip joint make microfracture technically challenging. The most common technique uses hip-specific microfracture awls, but the trajectory of impaction is not perpendicular to the subchondral plate. Consequently, the parallel direction of impaction creates poorly defined channels. We describe an arthroscopic microfracture technique for the hip using a flexible microfracture drill. The drill and angled guides simplify access to the chondral defect. The microfracture drill creates clear osseous channels, avoiding compaction of the surrounding bone and obstruction of the channels. Furthermore, this technique allows for better control of the angle and depth of the drill holes, which enhances reproducibility and may yield improved clinical outcomes

Improved Arthroscopic Visualization of Peripheral Compartment

Femoroacetabular impingement is a recognized cause of hip pain and motion restrictions. Advancements in hip arthroscopy have allowed surgeons the ability to treat this condition more effectively. However, the learning curve is steep for osteochondroplasty of the femoral head-neck junction in the peripheral compartment. Therefore we present a reproducible technique that allows improved visualization of the peripheral compartment and treatment of the cam lesion with hip arthroscopy. Our technique uses the anterior portal as a viewing portal, a distal anterolateral accessory portal as a working portal, and the anterolateral portal for soft-tissue retraction

Cartilage-Preserving Arthroscopic-Assisted Radiofrequency Ablation of Periacetabular Osteoid Osteoma in a Young Adult Hip

Osteoid osteomas are benign bone lesions that commonly occur in the lower extremities and spine, with the radiographic evidence of a central nidus surrounded by circumferential reactive bone. Although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can provide symptomatic relief and are used as an important diagnostic tool, surgical intervention is the definitive treatment. Arthroscopic-assisted radiofrequency ablation has been shown to be an effective technique to directly visualize and treat the lesion while minimizing damage to the articular cartilage

The Use of Double-Loaded Suture Anchors for Labral Repair and Capsular Repair During Hip Arthroscopy

With the development of hip joint preservation procedures, the use of hip arthroscopy has grown dramatically over the past decade. However, recent articles have reported cases of hip instability after hip arthroscopy. Little is known about the role of static and dynamic stabilizers on hip joint stability, but there are concerns that an extensile capsulotomy or capsulectomy, osteoplasty of the acetabulum and proximal femur, and labral detachment or debridement during hip arthroscopy could potentially compromise hip stability. The safety parameters for arthroscopic hip surgery have not yet been fully established, and techniques are being developed for labral refixation and capsular repair after arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement in an attempt to decrease the chance of iatrogenic hip instability or microinstability. The surgical technique presented in this article may provide anatomic repair of both the labrum and capsule using a double-loaded suture anchor technique. We believe that this technique increases both operative efficiency and the strength of the overall repair, which may minimize the risk of iatrogenic hip instability after hip arthroscopy

Superior Gluteal Reconstruction for Severe Hip Abductor Deficiency

Abductor tendon tears are one of the common causes of recalcitrant laterally based hip pain and dysfunction. In most cases, abductor tendon tears are associated with chronic nontraumatic tearing of the gluteus medius tendon. Restoring abductor function of the hip by primary repair of the gluteus medius tendon has been reported to have good and excellent outcomes. However, primary repair might not be as effective for chronic detachment of the gluteus medius tendon with a wide separation from the femoral footprint or severe tendon loss. The lack of tendinous foot for repair and the intrinsically degenerative condition of the tendon may create high tension at the repair site thereby predisposing to surgical failure. We believe that the use of soft-tissue allograft from the Achilles tendon or human dermal allograft may help strengthen the surgical site. We describe a superior gluteal reconstruction technique that is suitable for cases with abductor tendon tear with severe tendon loss

All-Endoscopic Single-Row Repair of Full-Thickness Gluteus Medius Tears

Abductor tendon tears typically develop insidiously in middle-aged women and can lead to debilitating lateral hip pain and a Trendelenburg limp. The gluteus medius tendon is most commonly torn and may show fatty degeneration over time, similar to the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder. Endoscopic repair offers a therapeutic alternative to traditional open techniques. This article describes the workup, examination, and endoscopic repair of a full-thickness gluteus medius tear presenting as lateral hip pain and weakness. The surgical repair for this case used a single-row suture anchor technique. In addition, the indications and technique for a double-row repair will be discussed

Routine Complete Capsular Closure During Hip Arthroscopy

The utility of hip arthroscopy has recently progressed beyond diagnostic to therapeutic purposes addressing central and peripheral compartment pathologies. Capsulotomy provides freedom of visualization and instrumentation. The contribution to hip stability of both dynamic and static hip structures is not fully understood. However, both basic science biomechanical and clinical outcome studies have exhibited a relevant role of the capsule in hip stability. Though rare, iatrogenic post-arthroscopy subluxation and dislocation have been reported. Therefore many surgeons have cautioned against aggressive capsulotomy or capsulectomy without repair, because of the potential for precipitation of iatrogenic hip instability. We typically perform a “T” capsulotomy and recommend complete capsular closure in conjunction with labral repair and osseous femoral and acetabular treatment. A safe, efficient, and effective method to accomplish complete capsular closure is presented to reduce iatrogenic postoperative hip instability

Arthroscopic Technique for the Treatment of Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis of the Hip

Open synovectomy remains the treatment of choice for pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of the hip but has shown modest results compared with the treatment of other joints. Recent advances in hip arthroscopy permit a thorough evaluation of the joint surfaces, improved access, and decreased postoperative morbidity. We describe an arthroscopic synovectomy technique for PVNS of the hip. The use of additional arthroscopic portals and creation of a large capsulotomy enable successful visualization and extensive synovectomy of the entire synovial lining of the hip. The T-capsulotomy enables extensive soft-tissue retraction for complete exposure. The midanterior portal enables use of an arthroscopic grasper and shaver to directly access and excise the synovial lining of the peripheral compartment while avoiding damage to the medial and lateral retinacular vessels. Technical innovations in hip arthroscopy have enhanced visualization in the central and peripheral compartments, as well as instrument management and diagnostic evaluation of the capsule, therefore allowing enhanced management of PVNS of the hip

Perineal Post Padding Technique to Improve Hip Distraction in Tall Patients

Hip distraction is necessary for safe arthroscopic entry into the hip joint. Achieving sufficient distraction is difficult in exceedingly tall patients (>190.5 cm) because of size limitations of currently available hip distraction systems. Inadequate distraction can delay the surgical procedure and potentially lead to complications. By repurposing a foam head-positioning block, we report a safe and inexpensive positioning technique for extending the traction distance for tall patients by 2 inches

Contemporary Hip Capsular Management and Closure Using a Suture Passing Device

Before comprehensive correction of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, capsular management must be thoughtfully considered to ensure both adequate visualization for bony resection and prevention of iatrogenic microinstability. A number of biomechanical and clinical studies have shown the importance of performing comprehensive capsular closure to restore native hip biomechanical kinematics. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe the technique of using a suture passing device for capsular plication by a fellowship-trained hip arthroscopist at a large-volume academic center