Accessibility Tools

Joint-Preserving Surgical Options for Management of Chondral Injuries of the Hip

Authors

El Bitar YF, Lindner D, Jackson TJ, Domb BG
https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-22-01-46

Purpose

To review joint-preserving surgical treatments for articular cartilage injuries in the hip.

Methods

Narrative review summarizing existing literature on surgical options such as microfracture, autologous chondrocyte implantation, and cartilage transplantation.

Key Findings

  • Chondral injuries in the hip are difficult to treat due to poor healing capacity.
  • Arthroscopy has improved diagnosis and treatment capabilities.
  • Lack of robust, high-level evidence for optimal treatment strategies.

Conclusion

Several joint-preserving surgical options exist, but further research is needed to determine best practices.

What This Means for Patients

There are promising surgical treatments for hip cartilage damage that may delay or prevent the need for hip replacement. However, treatment success can vary, and more research is needed to guide personalized care.