A matched-pair controlled study of microfracture of the hip with average 2-year follow-up: do full-thickness chondral defects portend an inferior prognosis in hip arthroscopy?
Authors
Domb BG, Redmond JM, Dunne KF, Stake CE, Gupta A
DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2014.10.011
Purpose
To compare 2-year clinical outcomes between patients undergoing hip arthroscopy with microfracture for full-thickness chondral defects and a matched control group without such defects.
Methods
49 hips treated with microfracture were matched 1:2 by age, sex, surgical procedures, and radiographic findings to 98 hips without microfracture. Patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores, pain (VAS), and satisfaction (0–10 scale) were recorded preoperatively and at an average follow-up of 26.7 months.
Key Findings
- Both groups showed significant improvement in all PRO scores postoperatively.
- No significant difference was found in the magnitude of improvement between groups.
- Patient satisfaction was slightly lower in the microfracture group (6.9 vs 7.8, p < .05).
- Outcomes were similar regardless of whether acetabular or femoral microfracture was performed.
Conclusion
Patients undergoing microfracture during hip arthroscopy achieve similar clinical improvements to matched patients without full-thickness chondral defects at 2 years, although satisfaction may be marginally lower.
What This Means for Patients
Microfracture treatment for full-thickness cartilage damage during hip arthroscopy can provide meaningful clinical improvements comparable to patients without cartilage defects, offering hope for those with such damage.