New Frontiers in Hip Arthroscopy: the Role of Arthroscopic Hip Labral Repair and Capsulorrhaphy in the Treatment of Hip Disorders

Hip pain can be caused by multiple pathologies. In younger patients, injuries to the acetabular labrum are a major source of pain. The labrum, with its proprioreceptors and neuroreceptors, can be a source of hip pain but also can cause mechanical symptoms. A labral tear can also contribute to hip instability. Labral repair and capsular treatment are important interventions to optimize hip joint function. Labral tears can be treated with débridement and surgical repair. A bioabsorbable suture anchor is needed to stabilize the fibrocartilaginous tissue back to the rim of the acetabulum when the labrum is detached from the bone. The goal of arthroscopic treatment of a torn labrum is to relieve pain by eliminating the unstable flap tear that causes hip discomfort. For capsular laxity, focal thermal capsulorrhaphy and capsular plication are performed to reduce capsular redundancy. The goals of these treatments are to maintain the function of the hip joint, return the patient to activity, and decrease the development of premature arthrosis.