Editorial Commentary: Measure Labral Height Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Prior to Hip Arthroscopy: A Diminutive Labrum Should Be Reconstructed With a Graft to Restore the Suction Seal.

Abstract

The acetabular labrum deepens the hip socket and provides a suction seal to the femoral head. Anatomic restoration of the suction seal is the goal of hip labral repair. Labral debridement outcomes are inferior to labral repair because this suction seal is disrupted. Labral height, surface area, and volume contribute to the suction seal and are important to consider in order to restore hip stability. Labral height should be measured on magnetic resonance imaging before arthroscopy. If the labrum is insufficient, surgeons should plan labral augmentation and reconstruction using a graft. Labral reconstruction can lead to successful outcomes in cases of short labral height or hypoplastic labrum by restoring the suction seal.