Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between patient-specific factors, preoperative radiographic findings, and the presence and severity of chondrolabral damage identified during hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement.
Methods: Between 2014 and 2017, patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAI and labral tear were retrospectively reviewed. Patient-specific variables including age, gender, BMI, LCEA, and alpha angle were collected. Surgical reports were reviewed for labral tear position and size, as well as severity of acetabular and femoral chondromalacia.
Results: There were 205 patients who met inclusion criteria with a mean age of 33 years (range 15-66), BMI 26.5 (range 15.9-44.5), LCEA 32.2° (range 21.0°-56.0°) and alpha angle 59.1° (range 33.0°-86.0°). Greater age (p = 0.023), alpha angle (p = 0.011) and male gender (p < 0.001) significantly correlated with high-grade acetabular chondral damage. Increased LCEA (p < 0.001), increased alpha angle (p = 0.012), and greater age (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with increased labral tear size.
Conclusions: Greater age, male gender, increased BMI and increased alpha angle were associated with more advanced acetabular chondromalacia. Additionally, greater age, increased LCEA, and increased alpha angle was associated with larger labral tear size.
Level of evidence: IV.
Keywords: Chondromalacia; Femoroacetabular impingement; Hip arthroscopy; Labral tear.