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Acetabular rim degeneration: a constant finding in the aged hip
Michael Leunig1, Martin Beck, Allan Woo
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Berne, Inselspital, CH-3010 Berne, Switzerland. michael.leunig@insel.ch
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|August 5, 2003
Summary
Acetabular rim degeneration is common in aged hips, often linked to femoroacetabular impingement. This study found labral and cartilage damage in all cadavers, with less frequent damage in elderly patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Gerontology
- Anatomy
Background:
- Acetabular labrum degeneration is increasingly linked to early hip osteoarthritis.
- Understanding labral degeneration in the aged hip is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial distribution of labral degeneration in aged hips.
- To identify pathological features that trigger labral degeneration.
Main Methods:
- Anatomic postmortem study of 30 cadavers (60-90 years).
- Intraoperative in vivo study of 18 elderly patients (69-97 years) undergoing hemiarthroplasty.
- Evaluation of acetabular labrum and cartilage for degeneration and lesions.
Main Results:
- All cadaveric acetabula (100%) showed labrum and cartilage damage.
- Labrum and cartilage damage were less frequent and smaller in elderly patients (89% and 84% respectively).
- Degeneration was most common at the superior acetabular rim, associated with femoroacetabular impingement.
Conclusions:
- Acetabular rim degeneration is a constant finding in the aged hip.
- Femoroacetabular impingement appears to trigger acetabular rim degeneration.
- Labral and cartilage damage are prevalent in aged hips, with varying severity in clinical populations.