Arthroscopy Of the Pediatric and Adolescent Patient

Arthroscopy of the pediatric and adolescent hip has seldom been performed in the past because of the complexity of surgery and concern for iatrogenic damage in the growing hip. Presently it is increasingly indicated for a number problems in the immature hip because it offers less morbidity to patients than traditional open techniques and is becoming as effective as open surgery in many cases. Hip arthroscopy is currently performed for a number of diagnoses including slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and femoroacetabular impingement. As our technical understanding and long-term outcomes are refined, the ability to alter disease outcome through arthroscopy may perhaps increase.