This study aimed to analyse the incidence, the operative findings and outcomes of hip arthroscopy after periacetabular osteotomy (PAO).

We conducted a retrospective study of prospective collected data to report the operative findings and outcomes of hip arthroscopy for recurrent pain following PAO for acetabular dysplasia. Demographic data, radiographic and arthroscopic findings were analysed. Pre- and post-operative patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected.

Of 184 PAO patients, 15 hips in 15 patients (8.2%) underwent post-PAO hip arthroscopy with 2 males and 13 females at a mean time of 3.9 ±2.9(0.3–10) years. Hip arthroscopy findings included labral tears (15 hips, 100%), chondral damage (11 hips, 73%) with one Beck 1, two Beck 2, four Beck 4, and four Beck 5 damage. There were 8 (53%) isolated labral debridement, 7 (47%) labral repair, and 2 (13%) adhesiolysis. A femoral osteochondroplasty was performed in 4 (27%) hips. Four hips (27%) were finally converted to total hip replacement at a mean delay of 2.3 ±1.4 (0.7–3.2) years post hip arthroscopy and these 4 patients were significantly older than those who were not (p=0.02). There were no significant differences in PROMs pre and post hip scope.

8.2% of patients undergoing a PAO required a hip scope for persistent hip pain. Common post-PAO hip arthroscopy findings included labral tears, chondral changes and femoroacetabular impingement. 27% of patients finally underwent conversion to total hip replacement at a mean follow-up of 4.5 years post hip scope.