Abstract
Objective To describe and evaluate the results of the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) with the unassisted mini-open approach in a defined population.
Materials and Methods We performed a prospective clinical and functional assessment of fifty young patients with CAM-type FAI, with very low sports demand, treated by the unassisted mini-open approach. We included patients older than 18 years of age, with a diagnosis of symptomatic FAI, complete radiologic study, and positive lidocaine test. We excluded patients with previous hip pathology. We compared the pre- and postoperative modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS) (through the Wilcoxon test) and the pre- and postoperative scores on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (through the Friedman analysis of variance [ANOVA] test). significance was established as p < 0.05. In total, 50 patients met the described inclusion criteria: 33 male and 17 female subjects.
Results The average age was of 36.8 ± 6.5 years. The average alfa angle was of 62.6° ± 5.6°. All patients had grade-1 Tonnis index osteoarthritis. In total, 39 patients had level 3 of activity (according to the Tegner scale). The mean follow-up was of 27.3 ± 6.2 (minimum of 12) months. The score on the MHHS improved from a preoperative median of 60.5 (range: 30.8–84.7) points to a postoperative median of 96.8 (range: 91.3–100) points (p < 0.001). All patients presented a significant decrease in pain, with a median VAS score of 0 at 1 year of follow-up.
Conclusions This technique presents good clinical and functional outcomes in patients with low sports demand. There is a lack of studies showing the advantages and limitations of the mini-open approach concerning the resection of larger bumps or in other locations.
Level of Evidence: 4.
Keywords
femoracetabular impingement/surgery - femoracetabular impingement/complications - treatment outcome - humans - minimally-invasive surgical procedures - postoperative complications
