Editorial Commentary: Femoroplasty May Not Be Necessary in All Patients With Hip Femoroacetabular Impingement, But Cam Lesions Should Not Be Ignored in Patients With Significant Femoral Head-Neck Offset

Our knowledge of appropriate arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) continues to evolve. However, few studies exist evaluating mid- to long-term surgical outcomes to guide optimal treatment. The recent focus has been on the importance of cam femoroplasty in addition to labral treatment; however, studies have shown that correction of the alpha angle to normal does not correlate with patient outcomes. Furthermore, in cases of mixed impingement, an optimal degree of acetabuloplasty as measured by the lateral center-edge angle has not been determined. Few studies have evaluated isolated pincer decompression with omission of cam treatment. In select patients with small or negligible cam lesions who do not have acetabular dysplasia, a small, isolated acetabular rim resection of 1 to 3 mm may provide adequate FAI decompression as well as reduce surgical time and complications. Nonetheless, individualized FAI treatment is necessary that includes a comprehensive 180 degrees femoroplasty in patients with sizable cam lesions to prevent future labral and chondral damage. An intraoperative dynamic examination is important to determine sufficient resolution of FAI. Predictive modeling may play an increasingly important role to ensure appropriate bony resection and to optimize long-term patient outcomes.

Automated summary

The arthroscopic management of FAI is evolving, with a focus on individualized treatment and the importance of femoroplasty. Optimal acetabuloplasty in cases of mixed impingement remains unclear. In selected cases, isolated acetabular rim resection may be considered without cam treatment.