Editorial Commentary: Diminished Hip Labral Width May Predict Inferior Outcome After Hip Femoroacetabular Impingement Surgery: Diminutive Labral Width Is a Relative Indication for Labral Reconstruction

Hip labral "width" should be defined as the distance from the chondrolabral junction to the tip of the labrum in triangular cross-section. "Height" should refer to the distance from the joint surface to the perilabral recess (perpendicular to the width). "Length" is the distance from the anterior end of the labrum, adjacent to the anterior transverse acetabular ligament (TAL), to the posterior end of the labrum, adjacent to the posterior TAL (as may be relevant in reconstructions). Most studies of labral size focus on width, as it is thought to most contribute to the suction seal effect and hip stability. Magnetic resonance imaging most accurately measures labral width. Labral width at the time of surgery should be considered its maximal size; the labrum is reduced in size after repair. Hypoplastic labrums may result in worse outcomes after hip arthroscopy, and hyperplastic labrums may result in higher scores than normoplastic labrums in patients with primary femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. Diminutive labral width is a relative indication for labral reconstruction.