Do Femoral Head Osteochondral Lesions Predict a Poor Outcome in Hip Arthroscopy Patients? A Matched Control Study With Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up
Authors
Ashberg L, Close MR, Perets I, Chaharbakhshi EO, Walsh JP, Mohr MR, Domb BG
Journal: Arthroscopy. 2019 Feb;35(2):419-431.
DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2018.08.053
PMID: 30612766
Background
Femoral head (FH) osteochondral lesions may affect the outcome of hip arthroscopy in patients with labral tears. This study explores their impact on patient-reported outcomes (PROs).
Methods
96 hips with FH lesions were matched to 96 control hips based on demographic and radiographic factors. Outcomes were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively with various PRO measures and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain.
Key Findings
Both groups showed significant improvements in PRO scores and VAS scores. However, patients with FH lesions had a higher conversion rate to total hip arthroplasty (THA) (32% vs. 16% in controls). FH lesion patients also had more severe intra-articular pathology.
Conclusions
FH lesions do not necessarily predict worse clinical outcomes but are associated with more severe joint pathology and higher conversion rates to THA.
What Does This Mean for Patients
Patients with FH lesions may experience similar improvements after hip arthroscopy, but they should be informed of a potentially higher risk for THA in the long term.
DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2018.08.053