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In Vivo Quantification of Hip Arthrokinematics during Dynamic Weight-bearing Activities using Dual Fluoroscopy
Published on: July 2, 2021
Correlation between internal rotation and bony anatomy in the hip
Tobias F Wyss1, John M Clark, Dominik Weishaupt
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Spital Bern-Ziegler, Bern, Switzerland.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|February 10, 2007
Summary
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is linked to hip arthritis. Limited internal rotation in patients with FAI is primarily due to bony anatomy, not muscle contractures, and can predict impingement risk.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a risk factor for degenerative hip arthritis in young adults.
- Patients with FAI often present with groin pain and limited hip internal rotation.
- The cause of limited internal rotation in FAI is debated, with theories including bony anatomy and soft tissue contractures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between bony anatomy and hip internal rotation in patients with FAI.
- To determine if hip internal rotation can serve as a noninvasive predictor of FAI risk.
Main Methods:
- Positional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure bony contours and joint space.
- Physical examinations assessed hip range of motion, specifically internal rotation.
- A questionnaire gathered data on patient symptoms and their onset.
- 23 patients with FAI (32 hips) were compared to 40 asymptomatic controls.
Main Results:
- A strong correlation (r = 0.97) was found between hip internal rotation and the measurable space between bony contours on MRI.
- This correlation was consistent in both the FAI patient group and asymptomatic controls.
- Limited internal rotation is directly dictated by skeletal anatomy.
Conclusions:
- Hip internal rotation is closely related to underlying skeletal anatomy.
- Internal rotation is a reliable, noninvasive indicator for predicting the risk of femoroacetabular impingement.
- Findings suggest bony morphology, not contractures, is the primary driver of limited internal rotation in FAI.
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