Computer-Assisted Hip Arthroscopic Surgery for Femoroacetabular Impingement

Precise osteochondroplasty is key for success in hip arthroscopic surgery, especially for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) caused by cam or pincer morphology. In this Technical Note, we present computer-assisted hip arthroscopic surgery for FAI, including preoperative planning by virtual osteochondroplasty and intraoperative computer navigation assistance. The important concept of this technique is that navigation assistance for osteochondroplasty is based on planning made by computer simulation analysis. The navigation assistance allows us to perform neither too much nor too little osteochondroplasty. Specifically, computer simulation was used to identify the impingement point. Virtual osteochondroplasty was then performed to determine the maneuvers that would improve range of motion. Thereafter, the planning data were transported to a computed tomography-based computer navigation system that directly provided intraoperative assistance. Thus, computer-assisted technology including preoperative simulation, virtual osteochondroplasty planning, and intraoperative navigation assistance may promote precise hip arthroscopic surgery for FAI.