The Role of Flexible Radiofrequency Energy Probes in Hip Arthroscopy

Summary: Radiofrequency energy has been a controversial practice in orthopaedic surgery for the past few decades. Both monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency probes have been used to shrink and ablate soft tissues. In hip arthroscopy, a new family of Eflex long, flexible monopolar probes has been designed to access all areas of the hip joint. Debridement of a torn acetabular labrum, thermal capsulorraphy, thermal chondroplasty, ablation of chondral flaps, synovectomy, and shrinkage of hypertrophic ligamentum teres are possible with the monopolar probes. Short-term to midterm clinical results of these procedures are promising; however, long-term outcomes studies are necessary to further evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency use in hip arthroscopy.