Editorial Commentary: Degeneration of Acetabular Cartilage of any Degree Is a Predictor of Worse Outcome After Hip Arthroscopy for Labral Repair and Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: The Greater the Damage, the Worse the Outcome.

Abstract

As the volume of hip arthroscopy continues to rise, determining appropriate indications for the procedure is of paramount importance. Outcomes can be predicted based on well-powered studies focused on determining which patients meet thresholds for achieving the minimal clinically important difference, the patient acceptable symptomatic state, and substantial clinical benefit after treatment. Recent research has shown that acetabular cartilage damage predicts lesser outcomes, and the more advanced the damage, the worse the results. What is concerning is that even the smallest degree of chondromalacia with fibrillation is a negative predictor of achieving the patient acceptable symptomatic state. In contrast, greater than 3 mm of joint space, no cysts, no dysplasia, younger age, lower alpha angle, preoperative 12-item International Hip Outcome Tool score greater than 48.5, and proper version all predict significant improvement after hip arthroscopy.