During the past 3 years we have performed arthroscopy of the hip in 19 patients (or 22 joints). Pathologic conditions in this series included necrosis of the femoral head and osteoarthritis of the hip (in 6 patients each), tear of the acetabular labrum and pain from unknown causes.
There were 2 patients with tear of the acetabular labrum, both having bone changes.
In osteoarthritis of the hip joint, arthroscopy permitted us to evaluate the status of articular cartilage, to obtain a three-demensional view of deformity thereof and thereby to extract correct information through proper selection of surgical procedure, e. g., osteotomy.
Also in necrosis of the femoral head, arthroscopy was considered useful in deciding as to whether or not osteotomy or bone grafting is indicated.
In cases of postoperative pain from unknown cause following femoral head replacement in which there was a noticeable abnormality of the acetabular cartilage, arthroscopy was useful in determining if reoperation is indicated.
Arthroscopy has also been performed for the purpose of probing, biopsy, shaving or removal of joint mouse, though still posing some technical problems. Arthroscopy can also be expected to be usable for irrigation of joint cavity, is less invasive than operation under direct vision, entails a shorter period of aftertherapy and thus appears to have great clinical significance.
