Outcomes of Hip Arthroscopy in Patients with Tönnis Grade-2 Osteoarthritis at a Mean 2-Year Follow-up: Evaluation Using a Matched-Pair Analysis with Tönnis Grade-0 and Grade-1 Cohorts
Authors: Chandrasekaran S, Darwish N, Gui C, Lodhia P, Suarez-Ahedo C, Domb BG
DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.15.00644
Purpose
To compare clinical outcomes of hip arthroscopy in patients with varying severity of osteoarthritis (Tönnis grade-0, 1, and 2).
Methods
Matched-pair cohort study of 111 patients (37 per group) with 2-year follow-up. Outcomes included patient-reported scores, satisfaction, revision surgery, and conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA).
Key Findings
- All groups experienced significant functional and pain improvements.
- Tönnis grade-2 patients had a significantly higher rate of conversion to THA.
- Satisfaction and revision arthroscopy rates were similar across all groups.
Conclusions
Although short-term improvement is possible, patients with Tönnis grade-2 OA are more likely to require THA after arthroscopy.
What this means for providers
- Carefully counsel patients with moderate OA (Tönnis 2) about limited joint preservation durability.
- Hip arthroscopy in these patients should be approached as a temporizing measure, not a definitive solution.
- Consider preoperative imaging and symptom duration when evaluating candidacy.