Hip arthroscopy-MRI correlation and differences for hip anatomy and pathology: What radiologists need to know

Hip MRI and arthroscopy have important roles for the evaluation of the patient with hip pain. An understanding of what orthopedic surgeons want to know before and after hip arthroscopy as well as the limitations of arthroscopy would enable radiologists to improve their imaging interpretations and produce more clinically relevant, management guiding reports. The goal of this article is to review the basic principles of hip arthroscopy and MRI and compare their strengths and weaknesses. Normal clinically relevant hip anatomy, important pathologic conditions such as labral tears and cartilage injuries, femoroacetabular impingement specific findings like cam and pincer morphology, extra-articular conditions such as abductor and iliopsoas tendons pathology and common post-operative appearances are reviewed on MRI and arthroscopy.