Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026
The Transition to an Anterior-Based Muscle Sparing Approach Improves Early Postoperative Function but is Associated with a Learning Curve
Published on: September 7, 2022
Arthroscopic assisted mini-open approach of the hip: Early multicentric experience
Marco Ezechieli1, Federico De Meo2, Vittorio Bellotti3
1Clinic for Orthopaedic Surgery (in the Annastift Hospital), Hannover Medical School, Germany.
Background:
Surgical treatment of femoroacetabular impingement is becoming accepted worldwide, owing to improvements in clinical results and quality of life. In addition to treatment by surgical dislocation or arthroscopy, arthroscopic assisted mini-open approach was postulated to treat this pathology.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to analyze early results of the first consecutive 72 cases of femoroacetabular impingement treated using the arthroscopic assisted mini-open approach in two different centers by two surgeons trained by a senior surgeon experienced in the technique.
Methods:
Seventy-two consecutive cases of femoroacetabular impingement were operated in arthroscopic assisted mini-open approach technique in two different centers. After a mean follow-up time of 15 months (range 6-24 months), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and University of California, Los Angeles activity score, alpha angle and Wiberg angle were obtained.
Results:
In both centers, all three scores showed significantly better results at follow-up time than preoperatively. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index increased from 64.3 to 91.4 (A) and from 68.1 to 89 (B). The Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score increased from 59.5 to 94.4 (A) and from 62.1 to 93.8 (B). The University of California, Los Angeles activity score increased from 5.2 to 8.1 (A) and from 5.3 to 8.4 (B). The alpha angle and the Wiberg angle were significantly reduced after osteoplasty. The overall complication rate was low.
Conclusions:
Early results of this study show a good clinical and radiological outcome; therefore, the arthroscopic assisted mini-open approach can be used as an alternative in treating femoroacetabular impingement.
