Rotational femoral osteotomies and cam resection improve hip function and internal rotation for patients with anterior hip impingement and decreased femoral version

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) patients with reduced femoral version (FV) are poorly understood. The aim of this study is to assess (i) hip pain and range of motion, (ii) subjective satisfaction and (iii) subsequent surgeries of symptomatic patients who underwent rotational femoral osteotomies. A retrospective case series involving 18 patients (23 hips, 2014–2018) with anterior hip pain that underwent rotational femoral osteotomies for treatment of decreased FV was performed. The mean preoperative age was 25 ± 6 years (57% male), and all patients had decreased FV < 10° and minimum 1-year follow-up (mean follow-up 2 ± 1 years). Surgical indication was the positive anterior impingement test, limited internal rotation (IR) in 90° of flexion (mean 10 ± 8°) and IR in extension (mean 24 ± 11°), anterosuperior chondrolabral damage in Magnet resonance (MR) arthrography, CT-based measurement of decreased FV (mean 5 ± 3°, Murphy method) and no osteoarthritis (Tönnis Grade 0). Most patients had intra- and extra-articular subspine FAI (patient-specific 3D impingement simulation). Subtrochanteric rotational femoral osteotomies to increase FV (correction 20 ± 4°) were combined with cam resection (78%) and surgical hip dislocation (91%). (i) The positive anterior impingement test decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from pre- to postoperatively (100% to 9%). IR in 90° of flexion increased significantly (P < 0.001, 10 ± 8° to 31 ± 10°). (ii) Subjective satisfaction increased significantly (P < 0.001) from pre- to postoperatively (33% 77%). The mean Merle d’Aubigné and Postel score increased significantly (P < 0.001) from 14 ± 2 (8–15) points to 17 ± 1 (13–18, P < 0.001) points. Most patients (85%) reported at follow-up that they would undergo surgery again. (iii) At follow-up, all 23 hips were preserved (no conversion to total hip arthroplasty). One hip (4%) underwent revision osteosynthesis. Proximal rotational femoral osteotomies combined with cam resection improve hip pain and IR in most FAI patients with decreased FV at short-term follow-up. Rotational femoral osteotomies to increase FV are safe and effective.