Effects of capsular repair versus unrepaired capsulotomy during hip arthroscopy in treating femoracetabular impingement

Objective To investigate the effects of capsular repair versus that of unrepaired capsulotomy during hip arthroscopy in treating femoracetabular impingement (FAI). Methods A total of 102 cases with FAI who underwent hip arthroscopy from July 2014 to August 2017 were collected retrospectively. Patients were divided into unrepaired group (64 cases) and repair group (38 cases) according to capsular management strategies. In the repair group, in addition to the management of osteochondroplasty of pincer and cam deformity and labral repair, the capsulotomies were routinely repaired. Modified Harris hip score (mHHS), nonarthritic hip score (NAHS), and hip outcome score activity of daily living scale (HOS-ADL) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. The preoperative hip scores and those at 1 year postoperative follow up were collected. Operation duration and occurrence of complication were also collected. Results There were 28 males and 36 females in the unrepaired group, while 17 males and 21 females were in the repair group. The average age were 38.59±11.27 years and 37.64±11.10 years respectively. There were 18 pincer deformities, 12 cam deformities and 34 mixed deformities in the unrepaired group, while 7 pincer deformities, 7 cam deformities and 24 mixed deformities in the repair group. There was no difference in gender, average age and impingement type between two groups (P>0.05). The preoperative mHHS score, NAHS score and HOS-ADL score were 59.56±12.44, 58.79±12.90 and 64.11±14.43 in the unrepaired group. These scores elevated to 85.52±4.69, 80.76±5.27 and 86.08±5.85 at 1 year follow up. The preoperative mHHS score, NAHS score and HOS-ADL score were 61.68±12.41, 60.62±10.48 and 65.27±17.47 in the repair group. These scores elevated to 88.84±3.46, 89.24±3.94 and 91.03±3.97 at 1 year follow up. The scores in the repair group were higher than those in unrepaired group at 1 year follow up (P 0.05). Conclusion During hip arthroscopy in treating FAI, short-term clinical results could be achieved after routine repair of capsulotomy without increased risk of complication. Key words: Arthroscopy; Femoracetabular impingement; Joint capsule