Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
In Vivo Quantification of Hip Arthrokinematics during Dynamic Weight-bearing Activities using Dual Fluoroscopy
Published on: July 2, 2021
Indications for hip arthroscopy in pediatric patients a systematic review
Moayd Abdullah H Awad1, Arpun K Bajwa2, Erin Slaunwhite3
1Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, 4554-1796 Summer Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3A7 Canada.
Insights
Limited evidence supports hip arthroscopy in pediatric patients (age ≤ 18). Further research is needed to define specific indications for this minimally invasive procedure in young individuals.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Background:
- Hip arthroscopy has seen increased utilization.
- Evidence for its application in pediatric patients remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate existing literature on hip arthroscopy in pediatric patients (age ≤ 18).
- To determine current clinical indications for pediatric hip arthroscopy.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted using PRISMA guidelines.
- Databases searched included PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase.
- Studies were reviewed, excluding those on other joints, animals, or adult-only populations.
Main Results:
- Eleven categories of indications for pediatric hip arthroscopy were identified.
- A Grade C recommendation supports its use.
- Despite increased use, robust evidence is lacking.
Conclusions:
- Further research is necessary to establish clear indications for pediatric hip arthroscopy.
- Arthroscopy may offer advantages over alternatives in specific pediatric cases.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current available literature on hip arthroscopy and determine the clinical indications in the pediatric patient population (age ≤ 18). In accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), a comprehensive literature search was performed on the 23 October 2018 using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and e-books to identify research surrounding the use of hip arthroscopy in the pediatrics. Exclusion criteria were studies that described joints other than the hip, animal studies, systematic reviews, open procedures and those that reported solely on patients aged 19-year-old and older. From 232 studies, 57 were reviewed in detail; 17 articles were removed as their indication fell into a category of 'diagnostic hip arthroscopy for pain' or no clear separation between the data on the adult and pediatric population could be made in a full text review of the paper. Eleven categories were identified as indications for hip arthroscopy in the pediatric population. At best a Grade C recommendation can be made to support the use of hip arthroscopy in the pediatric population. Our results support our hypothesis. Despite the exponential increase in hip arthroscopy over the last decade, limited evidence exists in support of its use in the pediatric (≤18) population. Our findings support the need for further research in delineating the indications for its use, as clearly arthroscopy may be advantageous in many situations, particularly in light of the alternatives.
