Hip Arthroscopy in the Athlete

Arthroscopy has defined numerous sources of disabling hip pain among athletes. Historically, these disorders went unrecognized and untreated; simply resigning individuals to live within the constraints of their symptoms, relinquishing their competitive athletic careers. Numerous etiologies have been identified, including a spectrum ranging from femoroacetabular impingement to dysplasia. Joint breakdown can occur at forces normally tolerated by a healthy hip, and substantial secondary damage may be present long before radiographic findings of osteoarthritis develop. Many sports expose athletes to supraphysiologic loads that can result in breakdown of normal joints because of macrotrauma or repetitive microtrauma. Some of these are sport specific. An understanding and awareness are essential to early diagnosis where preventative measures can be implemented and, when necessary, arthroscopic intervention before extreme damage occurs. This chapter details the aspects of pathogenesis, recognition, and results of treatment among athletes.