Femoroacetabular impingement: current clinical evidence

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a significant cause of hip pain in adolescents.
• FAI is a key factor in the development of progressive hip osteoarthritis (OA).
• Early and accurate diagnosis is essential to prevent cartilage damage and OA progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current data on hip deformity and OA association.
• To examine FAI management strategies and highlight the need for efficacy studies.
• To assess existing short- to mid-term study results for surgical FAI treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current perspectives on FAI and OA.
• Analysis of outcome studies for surgical hip dislocation and arthroscopic techniques.
• Exploration of surgical FAI management in athletes.

Main Results:

• Outcome studies for FAI surgical correction show variability in reporting disease characteristics, procedures, and complications.
• Current data collection and reporting methods lack standardization.
• Existing studies provide short- to mid-term results but require strengthened data quality.

Conclusions:

• Standardized data collection and reporting are fundamental for understanding surgical intervention effects on FAI's natural history.
• A future diagnostic standard and long-term study data are needed.
• Improved data standardization will enhance the quality of operative care for FAI patients.