Hip Instability in the Athlete

Hip pain in the athlete is increasing in prevalence. Proper diagnosis and treatment is important in returning these athletes to play as soon as possible. With the advent of new flexible instruments and better diagnostic application, the orthopaedic surgeon is able to effectively treat patients with capsular laxity. The causes of capsular laxity and clinical instability can be, but are not limited to, traumatic injury, a traumatic gradual onset, and bony abnormality. The diagnosis of instability includes a complete clinical physical exam including the posterior impingement test, laxity examination, Dial test, and axial distraction/apprehension test. Arthroscopic intervention for the treatment of hip instability is aimed at correction of the capsular pathology through the use of the radiofrequency probe and plication sutures. Outcomes following the treatment of capsular laxity and instability of the hip include the analysis of outcome scores used for hip arthroscopy including the Modified Harris Hip Score, and Hip Outcome Score sports and activities of daily living subscale. Knowledge of causative factors and the clinical presentation of hip instability are valuable in the accurate diagnosis and arthroscopic treatment. Arthroscopic management of hip instability has shown promising results.