The ligamentum teres and its role in hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement: a systematic review

Background: The ligamentum teres (LT) has received attention in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy (HA) for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Indeed, a better understanding of the function of the LT and its implications for clinical outcomes in the presence of a torn LT is required. This systematic review analyses the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and the complication rate when an intact or torn LT is encountered during HA for FAI.

Methods: Studies that compared patients with an intact to those with a torn LT managed with debridement during hip arthroscopy for FAI were identified from the Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase. The minimum follow-up for inclusion was 24 months. The Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Patient characteristics and PROMs were assessed at the baseline and last follow-up.

Results: The systematic review identified two studies comprising 611 patients. No statistically significant difference was found in pain, Harris Hip Score, and the activities of daily living and sports subscales of the Hip Outcome Score between patients with an intact LT and those with a torn LT treated with debridement, both of whom underwent HA for FAI.

Conclusions: In patients undergoing arthroscopic management for FAI, an intact or torn ligamentum teres managed with debridement does not influence postoperative PROMs. Given the importance of the LT as a structure of the hip joint and the increasing interest in HA for FAI, further standardised studies will be a valuable source for surgeons encountering this pathology.