Minimally Invasive Surgery Successfully Treats Hip Ailment Common to Athletes

CHICAGO, March 22 -- Minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery has been found to be as effective as the more invasive conventional surgery for a hip ailment common to athletes, according to new research released today at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Femoroacetabular impingement, a hip joint malformation characterized by persistent hip or groin pain, can be treated with decompression surgery improving range of motion and relieving pain. Early surgical intervention may slow the progression of the degenerative process that may lead to early osteoarthritis.

"Arthroscopic surgical treatment of femoroacetabular impingement is a viable option in the hands of an experienced arthroscopist," says co-author Marc J. Philippon, M.D., who is an orthopedic surgeon at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail and adjunct clinical assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "The study demonstrated excellent results that are comparable to open surgery."

A debate has surrounded the effectiveness of arthroscopic surgery versus conventional open surgery for hip impingement.

Dr. Philippon and co-author Karen K. Briggs, M.P.H., of the Steadman Hawkins Clinic and Research Foundation, evaluated 45 professional athletes who underwent arthroscopic treatment for hip impingement. All of the athletes previously had severe symptoms that restricted their ability to play.

Following arthroscopic removal of the impingement and repair of the damaged structure, all of the subjects had an improvement in symptoms and returned to their sports. Three required a second procedure and two retired.

The researchers concluded that hip arthroscopy is a safe and effective means of treating femoroacetabular impingement in professional athletes and non-athletes. This procedure enables athletes a relatively quick return to play and may prolong careers.

Editor's note: The research was funded by the Steadman Hawkins Research Foundation in Vail, CO.

Dr. Philippon will present this information during a joint session of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting on March 25, 2006, at 10:25 am CT in room E 354B at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.

The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) is a national organization of orthopaedic sports medicine specialists. http://www.sportsmed.org.

Data source: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine