Editorial Commentary: Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement in Systemic Inflammatory Disease: Pirates Gold in Uncharted Waters.

Abstract

Hip pain in patients with systemic inflammatory diseases may arise from synovitis, cartilage degeneration or bony abnormalities like femoroacetabular impingement or acetabular dysplasia. With advances in early diagnosis and medical management of the autoimmune response, these often-young patients may benefit from correction of underlying bony abnormalities like femoroacetabular impingement. Short-term improvement in patients' pain and function can be achieved with hip arthroscopic treatment. However, the long-term efficacy of hip arthroscopy in systemic inflammatory disease needs further research. Careful selection of patients with nondysplastic hips without significant cartilage degradation, correction of underlying bony abnormalities, collaboration with rheumatologist, and use of evidence-based perioperative management of anti-rheumatic drugs are keys to success.