Arthroscopic release of iliopsoas tendon in patients with femoro-acetabular impingement: clinical results at mid-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The iliopsoas tendon is a recognized cause of extra-articular hip pain, and tenotomy has been described as an effective treatment in patients who do not respond to conservative treatments. Endoscopic release showed higher success rate, lower recurrence, fewer complications compared to open surgery. The aim of the study is to report the results at a mean of 4 years follow-up of a series of patients affected by femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and an associated iliopsoas tendinopathy, treated with hip arthroscopy and transcapsular tendon release.

METHODS: Fifteen patients were retrospectively reviewed. Assessment of radiographic signs of FAI was performed, the alpha angle, the femoral head-neck offset and the lateral center edge angle (LCEA) were collected. Osteoarthritis was assessed from the AP pelvic and graded according to the Tönnis classification. Modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), VAIL score and VAS score were administered to all patients before surgery, at follow-up at 1 year (T1) and final follow-up (T2).

RESULTS: We found a statistical significant improvement in functional scores (mHHS and VAIL score) from the baseline to T2. According to VAS score, a statistical significant improvement was also found from T0 to T2, from a median of 5.5 (range 3-7) to 0 (range 0-5) (P<0.001). Two patients referred a recurrence of pain one year after surgery who were treated conservatively. No other complications have been reported.

CONCLUSION: Iliopsoas tendinopathy can be associated to FAI in some patients, and failure in diagnosing and treating may be the reason of poor results and a revision surgery. Arthroscopic iliopsoas tendon release seems to produce good clinical outcome, reducing pain and the rate of a revision surgeries. Level of evidence: IV case series.