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Review
. 2014 Oct 8;1(2):56-61.
doi: 10.1093/jhps/hnu011. eCollection 2014 Oct.

The role of hip arthroscopy in the management of osteonecrosis

Affiliations
Review

The role of hip arthroscopy in the management of osteonecrosis

A Papavasiliou et al. J Hip Preserv Surg. .

Abstract

Hip arthroscopy has emerged as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the management of osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral head. Direct visualization of the joint, aids the staging of the disease, while mechanical symptoms and pain can be alleviated by addressing the often coexisting intra-articular pathology (labral tears, chondral delamination, loose bodies and synovitis) thereby improving the clinical outcome in some patients. The article explores the role and possible value of hip arthroscopy as a surgical technique in the treatment of hip ON.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
(a) Arthroscopic appearance of a positive ballottement test where the articular cartilage of the femoral head buckles under the pressure of the probe. (b) The articular cartilage of the femoral head assumes its original shape after the release of pressure. (c) In the same hip, associated synovitis and a degenerative labral tear is seen. FH, femoral head; Ac, Acetabulum; a, synovitis, b labrum degeneration).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
(a) During bone endoscopy the −70 camera is positioned in the core track in order to ensure, that this is positioned directly to the necrotic area. (b) The camera reveals the healthy area of the femoral head as red-bleeding bone.(c) The camera in the necrotic area of the femoral head reveals sclerotic-white bone. (The metal appearing at the top end of the picture is a thin needle that washes out the track to improve our imaging capability).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Arthroscopic assisted core decompression and curettage of the necrotic lesion.

References

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