Abstract
Introduction: Femoroacetabular Impingement had been until now an unknown pathology. It causes pain in the movements of flexion-adduction-internal rotation, due to a bump effect between the head-neck surface of the femur and the anterior acetabular rim.
Material and Method: We analysed our 14 first patients, 3 operated bilaterally with 1 year F.U.. In bilateral cases, the time between both operations ranged from 5 to 8 weeks. Mean Age: 36 years (27 to 48), all sports active patients.. The technique that we used was through our modified Hueter approach . The superoanterior rim of the acetabulum was excised as well as the deformity at the femoral side that causes a less femoral neck-offset. For that purpose we used special maxilofacial-reamers instead of chisels. In this way we avoid any bleeding from the femoral neck. With this technique we avoid a Trochanter osteotomy, as performed by other authors (Ganz, Trousdale) .
Results: Pain relief was obtained 4 weeks after surgery in 13 from 14 patients. Mean hospitalization time was 2,6 days (2 to 5). Improvement in ROM was significative (p= 0,006): from −17 mean internal rotation (−14 to −28) at 80 flexion to +23 mean one month postop internal rotation (14 to 32).There was a significant improvement of hip score according to Merle d’Aubigne evaluation (p=0,017): 13,8 points preop (13 to 15) to 16,9 at F.U. (16–18). Neither Trendelemburg nor osteonecrosis was observed in any patient, as possible complications related to the approach. Mean time of rehabilitation was 3,8 weeks ( 3 to 5). All patients returned to their respective sports activities
Discussion: The Modified Femoroacetabular Osteoplasty allows rapid improvement of the normal hip motion , relatively short rehabilitation time and sports resumption as well. However midterm new osteoarthritic changes had to be assessed, although clinical and functional improvement has been evident. This surgical procedure makes us think about other alternatives to hip endoprosthesis in young adults.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
