Repair of cartilage defects and torn acetabular labrum in hip joints after conventional osteotomy: evaluation by follow-up arthroscopy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate recovery from cartilage damage and labral lesions after osteotomy of hip joints. Conventional osteotomy for dysplastic hips was performed on 38 hips. Hip arthroscopy preceded the osteotomy, which in turn was followed up 18.9 months later on average by arthroscopy. We assessed the Harris hip score (HHS) and radiological and arthroscopic findings before and after osteotomy. The average HHS was improved from 64.9 to 88.5. Cartilage repair was observed on the acetabular side of five hips (13.2%) and on the femoral side of four (10.5%). At follow-up arthroscopy, the acetabular labrum had adhered to the capsule in 11 hips. Acetabular adhesion may increase stability of the joint. We conclude that the effects of conventional osteotomy are limited, and additional surgery might be needed in the future.