Arthroscopic treatment of global pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement

Purpose: Few studies have evaluated the role of hip arthroscopy in patients with coxa profunda. The purposes of this study are to (1) report functional hip outcomes after arthroscopic treatment of patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) associated with radiographic coxa profunda and (2) evaluate factors associated with poor hip function at minimum 2 years following surgery in this specific cohort. Methods: This retrospective review included patients with radiographic sign of coxa profunda who underwent hip arthroscopy to treat FAI. Preoperative and post-operative radiographs were reviewed to determine changes in lateral centre-edge angle (CEA), the presence and correction of Cam deformity, and Tönnis grade of osteoarthritis. Hip functional scores, including modified Harris Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score, and IHOT score, were obtained at a minimum of 2 years following surgery. Results: The study cohort included 46 patients with a mean preoperative CEA of 39.9 (±2.4)° which decreased to a mean of 30.8 (±1.8)° post-operatively. At a mean follow-up of 2.5 years (±0.5), the mean mHHS and IHOT scores were 79.5 (±20.2) and of 69.7 (±28.3), respectively. Increased preoperative (p = 0.02) and post-operative (p = 0.001) Tönnis Osteoarthritis Grade was associated with a lower mHHS. Conclusions: Patients with coxa profunda can achieve similar functional scores to more traditional FAI cohorts after arthroscopic treatment. Baseline osteoarthritis is predictive of lower hip function after hip arthroscopy. This study demonstrates that patients with global over-coverage can benefit from hip arthroscopy and may influence surgeons to treat these patients with less invasive arthroscopic techniques which avoid the morbidity of open surgical procedures. Level of evidence: Retrospective case series, Level IV.