Spontaneous hip labrum regrowth after initial surgical débridement.

backgroundAnecdotal evidence from second-look hip arthroscopies and animal studies has suggested spontaneous labral regrowth may occur after débridement. However, these observations have not been systematically confirmed. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We (1) determined whether labral regrowth occurs after débridement in human hips; (2) if so, described the characteristics of the reconstituted labrum; and (3) determined the association, if any, of age with the presence and quality of labral regrowth.

methodsWe retrospectively reviewed all 24 patients who previously had open hip surgical dislocation with labral débridement for treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and concomitant hip arthroscopy 2 years after index procedure in association with planned removal of trochanteric hardware between January and December 1999. Data recorded included amount of labral resection at the index procedure using the clockface method, presence and quality of any labral regrowth, presence of any labral scarring or inflammation, and WOMAC(®) scores. Minimum clinical followup was 11 years (average, 12 years; range, 11-12 years).

resultsAll patients demonstrated labral regrowth at arthroscopy at 2 years. Homogeneous regrowth of labral height was seen in 21 of 24 patients, with labral scarring noted in four of 24. Average WOMAC(®) score was 98 points (range, 90-100 points) at the time of hardware removal. Increasing patient age was independently associated with decreased WOMAC(®) score and inhomogeneous regrowth of the labrum.

conclusionsLabral regrowth after resection was seen in all patients at 2 years from index operation. Increasing age, however, was associated with poorer quality of the reconstituted labrum.