Imaging Methodology for Hip Preservation: Techniques, Parameters, and Thresholds.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• The concept of hip impingement and hip-preserving surgery has gained attention since 2001.
• A hypothesis linking femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) with osteoarthritis emerged, increasing interest in hip research.
• Despite a rise in publications, evidence levels and methodology for FAI remain inconsistent, leaving etiology, diagnosis, and treatment effects unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive approach to hip imaging for researchers, radiologists, and clinicians.
• To focus on strategies that guide the clinical diagnosis of FAI.
• To address imaging methodology challenges in FAI research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current evidence on hip imaging for FAI.
• Incorporation of knowledge from experienced clinicians in hip imaging and FAI diagnosis.
• Analysis of imaging strategies to overcome diagnostic uncertainties.

Main Results:

• The review synthesizes current knowledge on hip imaging relevant to FAI.
• It highlights strategies to improve the diagnostic accuracy of FAI.
• Challenges in imaging methodology are deciphered to promote reproducible research.

Conclusions:

• High-quality scientific studies with reproducible methodology are crucial for advancing FAI understanding.
• Standardized hip imaging protocols are needed to improve FAI diagnosis and treatment.
• This review offers a framework for optimizing hip imaging in the context of FAI.