An algorithmic approach to surgical decision making in acetabular retroversion

The optimum treatment for the young adult patient with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement due predominately to acetabular retroversion remains unknown. The retroversion deformity can be associated with a volumetrically deficient or sufficient acetabulum based on the adequacy of lateral and posterior coverage. We prospectively collected clinical data from 2001 to 2006 on 60 hips with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement that had radiographic evidence of acetabular retroversion defined as a crossover sign on an adequate anteroposterior radiograph or retroversion on magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. Our treatment algorithm for acetabular retroversion used measurements of acetabular coverage (lateral center edge angle and the posterior wall sign) and condition of acetabular cartilage to direct treatment of acetabular retroversion. The algorithm directed the surgeon to perform a periacetabular osteotomy in 30 hips and a surgical dislocation and osteochondroplasty of the femoral head-neck junction and acetabular rim in 30 hips. Harris Hip Score improved from 52 to 90 in the hips treated with surgical dislocation and osteochondroplasty and 72 to 91 in the hips treated with periacetabular osteotomy, with an overall survivorship of 96% at 4 years. Patient follow-up averaged 46 months (range, 24-75 months). Elimination of the crossover sign and correction of the posterior wall sign occurred in >90% of all patients when present. The results indicate that hips with acetabular retroversion, deficient posterior and/or lateral acetabular coverage, and intact hyaline cartilage can be effectively treated with acetabular reorientation, while retroverted hips with anterior overcoverage but sufficient posterior coverage are effectively treated with osteochondroplasty of the acetabulum and proximal femur.