Central Acetabular Impingement Is Associated With Femoral Head and Ligamentum Teres Damage: A Cross-Sectional Matched-Pair Analysis of Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy for Acetabular Labral Tears
Authors: Lodhia P, Gui C, Martin TJ, Chandrasekaran S, Suarez-Ahedo C, Domb BG
Journal: Arthroscopy. 2018 Jan;34(1):135–143
DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2017.08.254
Background
Central acetabular osteophytes (CAOs) are frequently seen during hip arthroscopy, but their clinical significance is unclear.
Methods
A matched-pair analysis compared 126 patients with CAOs to 378 controls without CAOs undergoing arthroscopy. Cartilage damage and ligamentum teres tears were documented.
Key Findings
Patients with CAOs had higher rates and larger sizes of femoral head and acetabular cartilage damage, and more ligamentum teres tears. Labral tear characteristics were similar between groups.
Conclusions
CAOs are associated with more advanced intra-articular damage, particularly to the femoral head and ligamentum teres.
What Does This Mean for Providers?
Identification of CAOs should alert providers to potential severe intra-articular pathology, influencing preoperative planning and intraoperative management strategies.