The role of hip arthroscopy in the elite athlete

Intraarticular hip disorders in the elite athlete are a relatively rare but serious potential consequence of high-level competition. Axial and torsional forces involving the hips of elite athletes place them at potentially higher risk for chondral injuries, labral injuries, or both. Ten patients (13 hips) had arthroscopy. Of the 10 patients, the average age was 24 years. Nine patients were men and one was a woman. Of the 13 (10 patients) arthroscopies done two cases were bilateral, and one patient had the same hip operated on twice. Seven of the patients were professional hockey players, one patient was a football player, one patient was a baseball player, and one patient was a golfer. All 13 hips (10 patients) had anterior labral tears, whereas two hips had anterior and posterior labral tears. Two hips had an average of four loose bodies, four had evidence of chondral lesions, and one had an anterior margin acetabular fracture. Twelve of 13 arthroscopies were successful; however, one patient had recurrent symptoms. There were no surgical complications. Hip arthroscopy is a safe and reproducible method to diagnose and treat intraarticular hip disorders in athletes, which facilitates earlier return to their respective sport.