Association of Postless Distraction in Hip Arthroscopy With Decreased Postoperative Groin Numbness

Background: Patients undergoing hip arthroscopy performed with perineal post distraction may experience postoperative nerve and soft tissue complications related to the perineal post.

Purpose: To compare rates of postoperative numbness in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) with postless distraction and perineal post distraction methods.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed on patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAIS, with postless distraction and perineal post distraction methods. Medical records were reviewed for patient characteristics, radiographic data, and operative data. Traction force data were collected on all patients prospectively using a previously validated method. Data on postoperative numbness (presence/absence and regionality) were collected prospectively at routine postoperative follow-ups (6-week and 3-month postoperative clinic visits).

Results: Overall, 195 patients were included, with 94 patients (mean age, 30.4 years) in the postless distraction cohort and 101 patients (mean age, 31.9 years) in the post distraction cohort. The overall numbness rates were 29 of 94 (30.9%) in the postless distraction group and 45 of 101 (44.6%) in the post distraction group ( = .068). Rates of postoperative groin numbness were 1 of 94 (1.1%) in the postless distraction group and 19 of 101 (18.8%) in the post distraction group ( < .001). Multivariate analysis for postoperative groin numbness demonstrated post distraction (odds ratio [OR], 16.5; = .022) and traction time (OR, 1.7; = .020) to be statistically significant variables. In subgroup analysis of the post distraction group, traction time ( = .015), but not holding ( = .508) or maximum traction force ( = .665), reached statistical significance in patients who developed postoperative groin numbness.

Conclusion: Postless distraction hip arthroscopy demonstrated a statistically significantly lower rate of groin numbness rates in comparison with a traditional perineal post distraction method. In the post distraction group, traction time was significantly higher in patients who developed postoperative groin numbness than in those who did not.