Complications of hip arthroscopy: analysis of seventy three cases

Hip arthroscopy is recognized as a highly effective means of treating joint disorders. Complications in hip arthroscopy, including neurovascular traction injury, compression injury to the perineum and scope trauma, have been reported. We report our experience with 73 hip arthroscopy procedures and complications at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

Seventy-two patients with 73 hips with severe hip pain were enrolled in this prospective study. The average age of the patients was 42 years (range, 22-61 years). The average follow-up period was 16 months (range, 12-36 months). Surgical indications for hip arthroscopy were labral tears (54 cases, 73.9%); painful dysplastic hips (7 cases, 9.5%); osteoarthritis (5 cases, 6.8%); synovitis (3 cases, 4.1%); ligament teres tears (2 cases, 2.8%); chondromatosis (1 case, 1.4%); and avascular necrosis of the femoral head (1 case, 1.4%). With the patient in the supine position with the involved leg in traction, 2 or 3 portals (anterior, anterolateral or posterolateral) were made. Intraoperative and postoperative arthroscopic complications were recorded and prospectively analyzed.

The average operative time was 67 minutes (range, 30-190 minutes) and the average traction time was 58 minutes (range, 30-150 minutes). During surgery, 12 of 73 (16.4%) patients had mild scope trauma to the femoral head, which did not affect their excellent outcomes. Five (7%) patients had transient sciatic nerve neuropraxia and achieved complete recovery within 2 weeks after surgery.

No major complications of hip arthroscopy were noted in this series. The most frequent complication was mild scope trauma to the femoral head. With experience in the technique and good hip arthroscopic instrumentation, hip arthroscopy complications can be minimized. We suggest that hip arthroscopy is a safe technique, providing an additional valuable tool for hip surgery.