Femoral neck osteoplasty is an integral component for successful treatment of femoroacetabular impingement. Current techniques allow this to be performed arthroscopically, and results are equivalent to those of open procedures when typical anterior and anterosuperior lesions are considered. The arthroscopic procedure is dependent on obtaining adequate visualization through capsular management and proper leg positioning, and it requires fluoroscopy to guide and verify an adequate resection. We present our preferred technique for arthroscopic femoral neck osteoplasty.F emoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a wellrecognized cause of hip pain in young adults and is associated with early-onset osteoarthritis.1 Two subtypes of impingement (pincer and cam) exist, and although they can occur independently, they most commonly coexist in an impinging hip.2 Cam impingement occurs as a result of an aspherical femoral head or a decreased femoral head-neck offset; this abnormal bony morphology is also sometimes referred to as a pistol-grip or tilt deformity. With hip motion, the abnormal bony prominence is repetitively forced into a generally spherical acetabulum, generating shear forces that can potentially result in tearing of the labrum and delamination of articular cartilage in the anterosuperior aspect of the acetabulum.Cam lesions are common. Recent studies in healthy volunteers have found that up to 35% of men and 10% of women have evidence of cam morphology on imaging studies (radiographs or magnetic resonance imaging).3,4 The prevalence is even higher among young, active male subjects, with studies of asymptomatic football and hockey players showing evidence of cam morphology in up to 75% of imaged hips. 5,6 Given the commonality of this lesion, the young population affected, and the potential for adverse longterm hip outcomes, the ability to effectively treat this lesion is paramount.The goal of treatment of symptomatic impinging cam lesions is to restore a spherical femoral head and a normal head-neck offset, thereby eliminating the impinging bone. Originally, this required an open approach as popularized by Ganz et al. 7 ; however, with recent technique advancements, this can now be performed arthroscopically. In the accompanying video presentation (Video 1), we demonstrate our technique for arthroscopic femoral neck osteoplasty for impinging cam lesions.
Surgical TechniqueHip arthroscopy is performed in the usual fashion. It is our preference to perform this with the patient in the supine position using an anterolateral portal for viewing and a mid-anterior portal for working for the majority of the procedure. Additional working portals can be created as needed to facilitate cam resection in different locations on the femoral head and neck. Pathology in the central compartment is addressed first. This includes a pincer resection and/or labral repair, as appropriate. It also includes addressing areas of acetabular chondral delamination, which may require resection of unstable cartilage and possibly m...