Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopy for synovial chondromatosis of hip joint. Methods Between April 2012 and September 2015, 32 patients with synovial chondromatosis of hip joint were treated by arthroscopy. There were 19 males and 13 females, with an average age of 42.1 years (range, 22-64 years). The synovial chondromatosis located at right hip in 15 cases and left hip in 17 cases. The main clinical symptoms were pain and swelling of hip joint. Of all patients, 6 cases were hip hinge, 2 cases were lower limb weakness, and 1 case was snapping hip. The " 4” sign was positive in 9 cases, Thomas’ sign positive in 4 cases, and rolling test positive in 2 cases. Results All incisions healed by first intention, and no complication occurred. All patients were followed up 16-48 months (mean, 33.8 months). The visual analogue scale (VAS) was 1.4±0.8 at last follow-up, which was significantly lower than that before operation (4.8±1.2) (t=6.382, P=0.013). The hip Harris score was 92.6±6.7 at last follow-up, which was significantly higher than that before operation (63.2±8.3) (t=9.761, P=0.006). At last follow-up, the " 4” sign and Thomas’ sign were positive in 3 cases and 1 case, respectively. The others had no positive sign. X-ray film showed no recrudescence in all cases. Conclusion Treating synovial chondromatosis of hip joint under arthroscopy has advantages of less trauma, complete debridement, quick postoperative recovery, and the satisfactory short-term effectiveness.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of multiple small-diameter drilling decompression combined with hip arthroscopy for early oeteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Methods Between March 2010 and December 2013, 91 patients with early ONFH were treated with the operation of multiple small-diameter drilling decompression combined with hip arthroscopy in 39 cases (53 hips, group A) or with drilling decompression alone in 52 cases (74 hips, group B). The patients in 2 groups had obvious hip pain and limited motion before operation. There was no significant difference in gender, age, etiology, effected side, stage of osteonecrosis, and preoperative Harris score between 2 groups (P>0.05). Results All operations succeeded and all incisions healed by first intention. The operation time was significantly longer in group A [(73.3±10.6) minutes] than in group B [(41.5±7.2) minutes] (t=8.726, P=0.000). Temporary of sciatic nerve apraxia after operation occurred in 2 patients of group A, and no complication occurred in other patients. Patients were followed up 24-52 months (mean, 39.3 months) in group A and 24-48 months (mean, 34.6 months) in group B. At last follow-up, the Harris scores were 83.34±8.76 in group A and 76.61±9.22 in group B, showing significant differences when compared between 2 groups (t=–4.247, P=0.029) and when compared with preoperative values in 2 groups (t=–10.327, P=0.001; t=–8.216, P=0.008). X-ray films showed that the collapse of the femoral head was observed in 6 hips (1 hip at stage Ⅰand 5 hips at stage Ⅱ) in group A, and in 16 hips (4 hips at stageⅠand 12 hips at stage Ⅱ) in group B; and hip arthroplasty was performed. The total effective rates were 88.68% (47/53) in group A and 78.38% (58/74) in group B, respectively; showing significant difference between 2 groups (χ2=5.241, P=0.041). Conclusion Multiple small-diameter drilling decompression combined with hip arthroscopy is effective in pain relief, improvement of hip function, slowing-down the process of femoral head necrosis, delaying the need for total hip arthroplasty in patients with early ONFH.