Faculty Bibliography

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a progressive disease affecting young adults that results in collapse of the femoral head and subsequent degenerative joint disease. Although precollapse stages of AVN can be successfully treated with core decompression, making the diagnosis is often difficult given alternative sources of hip pain in this age group. We propose that arthroscopic-assisted core decompression of the femoral head offers an effective method of addressing AVN of the femoral head as well as coexistent hip disorders in the same operation. This article describes in detail the technique used to perform an arthroscopic-assisted core decompression of the femoral head, and a companion video demonstrating the procedure is included. Our experience suggests that arthroscopic-assisted core decompression can be used as an alternative to open core decompression, while simultaneously addressing other sources of hip pain, with successful outcomes.

Chondral injury in the knee is a unique challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon. Given the high probability of progression to knee arthrosis, the treatment of symptomatic cartilage defects of the knee has become an important surgical intervention in young, active patients. The demand for an alternative to prosthetic resurfacing has driven the trend towards biologic resurfacing and joint preservation. Osteochondral allografts are composed of hyaline cartilage attached to subchondral bone and are suited for large osteochondral lesions. This allograft tissue must be harvested, processed, and stored appropriately to reduce the risks of graft failure and potential complications. With appropriate indications and surgical techniques, osteochondral allografts have been shown to have good long-term graft survival and patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of heterotopic ossification (HO) after hip arthroscopy reportedly ranges from less than 1.0% to 6.3%. Although open debridement has been described and a few series mention arthroscopic debridement, the techniques for arthroscopic excision of HO have not been described in detail. We describe the arthroscopic treatment of this complication. DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUE: Revision arthroscopy was completed in the central and peripheral compartments using prior portals and fluoroscopy was used to identify the HO. Spinal needle localization was used to triangulate onto the HO. Cannulas were inserted over the spinal needle. Once the HO was clearly identified with the arthroscope, it was excised using a burr and confirmed on fluoroscopy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 66 patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement between July 2008 and June 2010. There were 36 females and 30 males with an average age of 38 years (range, 15-68 years). Eight of the 66 (12%) patients had HO develop. Using the grading of Brooker et al., six patients had Grade 1, one had Grade 2, and one had Grade 3 HO. Three patients with HO were symptomatic and underwent arthroscopic resection. We obtained modified Harris hip scores (HHS) and radiographs at followup. The minimum followup for the three patients with revision surgery was 2 years (mean, 2 years 2 months; range, 2 years-2 years 8 months). RESULTS: The three patients who underwent arthroscopic resection had HHS ranging from 85 to 96 at last followup. No patient had recurrence of HO. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest HO is not uncommon after hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement but most patients have minor degrees and no symptoms. In symptomatic patients, arthroscopic excision appears to relieve pain and restore function.

Hip arthroscopy is particularly attractive in children as it confers advantages over arthrotomy or open surgery, such as shorter recovery time and earlier return to activity. Developments in surgical technique and arthroscopic instrumentation have enabled extension of arthroscopy of the hip to this age group. Potential challenges in paediatric and adolescent hip arthroscopy include variability in size, normal developmental change from childhood to adolescence, and conditions specific to children and adolescents and their various consequences. Treatable disorders include the sequelae of traumatic and sports-related hip joint injuries, Legg-Calve-Perthes' disease and slipped capital femoral epiphysis, and the arthritic and septic hip. Intra-articular abnormalities are rarely isolated and are often associated with underlying morphological changes. This review presents the current concepts of hip arthroscopy in the paediatric and adolescent patient, covering clinical assessment and investigation, indications and results of the experience to date, as well as technical challenges and future directions.

Indications for arthroscopic surgery of the hip have increased over the past several years, along with the number of procedures performed annually. In addition, the number of unsuccessful procedures and subsequent revision surgeries have also increased. Recent literature has defined several common causes for failed hip arthroscopy. Severe osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis are associated with poor outcomes. Findings during revision hip arthroscopy consistently demonstrate untreated femoroacetabular impingement, chondral defects, labral tears, and postoperative adhesions. The treating surgeon must be diligent in his or her indications for surgery, as well as in addressing all pathology at the initial surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of femoral nerve blocks in postoperative pain control after hip arthroscopy. METHODS: Forty consecutive patients scheduled for hip arthroscopy were randomized into 2 groups for postoperative pain control. Half were to receive routine intravenous narcotics for pain scores of 7 or above in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and the other half were to receive a femoral nerve block in the PACU for the same pain scores. Data were compared with respect to patient sex, patient age, traction times, type of procedure, nausea, overall patient satisfaction with analgesia, and duration of time in the PACU. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients had initial pain scores of 7 of 10 or greater on a visual analog scale. Of these patients, 16 were randomized to receive postoperative morphine and 20 to receive a femoral nerve block. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to sex, age, traction times, or type of procedure performed. Patients who received morphine had a significantly longer time to discharge from the PACU (216 minutes) than the femoral nerve block group (177 minutes). The morphine group was also significantly more likely to report postoperative nausea (75%) than the femoral nerve block group (10%). Patients receiving femoral nerve blocks were significantly more likely to be satisfied with their postoperative pain control (90%) than those who had received morphine (25%). All of the patients receiving a femoral nerve block stated that they would undergo the block again if they needed another hip arthroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of all criteria studied (quality of pain relief, length of stay in the PACU, side effects, and patient satisfaction), a femoral nerve block is an excellent alternative to routine narcotic pain medication in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, randomized controlled trial.

SUMMARY By all criteria studied (quality of pain relief, length of stay in the PACU, side effects and patient satisfaction), a femoral nerve block is an excellent alternative to routine narcotic pain medication in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. DATA Purpose: To evaluate the utility of femoral nerve blocks in post-operative pain control after hip arthroscopy. Methods: Forty consecutive patients scheduled for hip arthroscopy were randomized into two groups for postoperative pain control. Half were to receive routine intravenous narcotics for pain scores of seven or above in the PACU, the other half were to receive a femoral nerve block in the PACU for the same pain scores. Data was compared with respect to patient sex, age, nausea, overall satisfaction with analgesia, and duration of time in the PACU. Results: Thirty-six patients had initial pain scores of seven or greater. Sixteen were randomized to receive post-operative morphine, and twenty to receive a femoral nerve block. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to sex or age of the patients. Patients who received morphine had a significantly longer time to discharge from the PACU (216 mins) than the femoral nerve block group (177 mins). The morphine group was also significantly more likely to report post-operative nausea (75%) than the femoral nerve block group (10%). Patients receiving femoral nerve blocks were significantly more likely to be satisfied with their post-operative pain control (90%) than those who had received morphine (25%). All of the patients receiving femoral nerve block stated that they would have the block again if they needed another hip arthroscopy

Femoroacetabular impingement results from an abnormal contact between the femur and the pelvis. This abnormal contact leads to developmental changes in the femoral neck, labrum, and acetabulum. Secondary to the altered hip joint mechanics, chondral damage occurs and initiates the degenerative process, eventually leading to osteoarthritis. Numerous etiologies have been implicated in femoroacetabular impingement, and a variety of treatment algorithms have been established, with no definitive gold standard. However, the treatment of this disorder with joint preserving techniques offers a viable option between the extremes of nonoperative treatment and total joint arthroplasty

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is an uncommon disorder seen primarily in the adolescent overhead athlete. Unlike Panner disease, a self-limiting condition of the immature capitellum, OCD is multifactorial and likely results from microtrauma in the setting of cartilage mismatch and vascular susceptibility. The natural history of OCD is poorly understood, and degenerative joint disease may develop over time. Multiple modalities aid in diagnosis, including radiography, MRI, and magnetic resonance arthrography. Lesion size, location, and grade determine management, which should attempt to address subchondral bone loss and articular cartilage damage. Early, stable lesions are managed with rest. Surgery should be considered for unstable lesions. Most investigators advocate arthroscopic debridement with marrow stimulation. Fragment fixation and bone grafting also have provided good short-term results, but concerns persist regarding the healing potential of advanced lesions. Osteochondral autograft transplantation appears to be promising and should be reserved for larger, higher grade lesions. Clinical outcomes and return to sport are variable. Longer-term follow-up studies are necessary to fully assess surgical management, and patients must be counseled appropriately

The long head of the biceps has been described as a stabilizing force in the setting of glenohumeral instability. However, data are lacking on the effect of loading the long head of the biceps on glenohumeral kinematics. Six cadaveric shoulders were tested for glenohumeral rotational range of motion and translation using a custom shoulder testing system and the Microscribe 3DLX (Immersion, San Jose, CA). The path of glenohumeral articulation (PGA) was measured by calculating the humeral head center with respect to the glenoid articular surface at maximal internal rotation, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and maximal external rotation. Significant decreases in glenohumeral rotational range of motion and translation were found with 22-N biceps loading vs the unloaded group. With respect to the PGA, the humeral rotation center was shifted posterior with biceps loading at maximal internal rotation, 30 degrees, and 60 degrees of external rotation. Loading the long head of the biceps significantly affects glenohumeral rotational range of motion, translations, and kinematics