Preliminary Findings of Femoroacetabular Impingement Treated Via Anterior Mini-Open Approach and Arthroscopy

Objectives: To compare clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes of patients subjected to the anterior mini-open approach with those subjected to the outside-in arthroscopic approach for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Methods:Retrospective case-control study with clinical and radiographic assessments of patients subjected to surgical treatment of FAI between July 2011 and May 2016.The outcomes were compared between the groups.The assessments were made with the Merle-D'aubigné-Postel, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores and pain visual analog scale, in addition to measurements of internal rotation of the hip and the FAI provocation test.Radiographically, the patients were assessed according to Tönnis classification and to alpha angle measurements.The chi-square and Student's t tests were used for statistical analyses.Results: Twenty-three patients were included -10 subjected to the mini-open approach (Group A) and 13 subjected to arthroscopic surgery (Group B).The mean postoperative follow-up of the patients in Group A was 5.5 years and 90% showed clinical and functional improvement.Radiographically, the mean alpha angle improved and Tönnis grade did not deteriorate in any patient.In Group B, the mean postoperative follow-up was 3.6 years and all patients showed clinical and functional improvement.The mean alpha angle improved and no radiographic changes occurred in Tönnis grade.Both groups tested negative for impingement and exhibited improvement of internal rotation of the hip in the postoperative period.The clinical and radiographic outcomes were statistically similar between the groups. Conclusions:The study demonstrated that surgical treatment of FAI had good clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes in the midterm follow-up period with a low complication rate in both techniques.