Outcomes After Management of Subspine and Femoroacetabular Impingement Using a Direct Anterior Mini-Open Approach

Background: Subspine impingement (SSI) has been commonly managed with arthroscopic decompression. However, arthroscopic decompression is a demanding technique, as under- or over-resection of the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) could lead to inferior outcomes. An anterior mini-open approach has also been used in the management of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), and it could provide adequate visualization of the anterior hip joint without a long learning curve. Purpose/Hypothesis: The objective of the current study was to compare the outcomes of SSI patients with FAI who underwent arthroscopic subspine decompression and osteoplasty with a group undergoing subspine decompression and osteoplasty using a modified direct anterior mini-open approach. It was hypothesized that there would be no significant difference in outcomes between the groups. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We reviewed the records of SSI patients who underwent decompression surgery (arthroscopic or mini-open) at our institution from June 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016. Both groups underwent the same postoperative rehabilitation protocol. Preoperative and 2-year postoperative patient-reported outcomes were compared using the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), International Hip Outcome Tool–33 (iHOT–33), and Hip Outcome Score—Activities of Daily Living (HOS–ADL). Major and minor complications as well as reoperation rates were recorded. Results: Included were 47 patients (49 hips) who underwent subspine decompression using an anterior mini-open approach and 35 patients (35 hips) who underwent arthroscopic subspine decompression. There were no differences in demographic and radiological parameters between the groups, and patients in both groups showed significant improvement in all outcome scores at follow-up. The pre- to postoperative improvement in outcome scores was also similar between groups (mini-open vs arthroscopy: mHHS, 26.30 vs 27.04 [ P = .783]; iHOT–33, 35.76 vs 31.77 [ P = .064]; HOS–ADL, 26.09 vs 22.77 [ P = .146]). In the mini-open group, 10 of the 47 patients had temporary meralgia paresthetica, and fat liquefaction was found in 1 female patient. There were no reoperations in the mini-open group. Conclusion: Subspine decompression using the anterior mini-open approach had similar outcomes to arthroscopic decompression in the management of SSI. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve should be protected carefully during use of the anterior mini-open approach.

A cook with ‘burning in the thigh’ and a ‘hotspot’ in the groin!

ABSTRACT Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a condition characterised by abnormal sensations on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh due to the dysfunction of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Here, I present a case of a 64-year-old female cook who attended the General Medicine clinic with 2 months of persistent numbness and ‘burning’ sensation over the right anterolateral thigh. Subsequent physical examination revealed the diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica. The significance of good history taking and thorough physical examination in reaching the diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica cannot be overemphasized. In most typical presentations, advanced imaging and neurodiagnostic testing do not add value to confirm the diagnosis. If the clinical diagnosis is doubtful, nerve conduction study and magnetic resonance imaging may still be performed to exclude other mimicking pathologies. Increasing awareness of MP among doctors unfamiliar with this condition will prevent the ordering of excessive investigations.

EFFECTIVENESS OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED CORTICOSTEROID INJECTION AND ALCOHOL NEUROLYSIS IN THE TREATMENT OF MERALGIA PARESTHETICA DURING A 28-MONTH FOLLOW-UP PERIOD: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Objectives Meralgia paresthetica is a very rare sensory mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and compare the results of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection and ultrasound-guided alcohol neurolysis in the treatment of meralgia paresthetica. Methods We performed a retrospective clinical study of 26 patients with a diagnosis of marelgia paresthetica with a duration of ≥10 months. The patients were divided into 2 groups, with the Group 1 receiving ultrasound-guided local corticosteroid injection and Group 2 receiving ultrasound-guided alcohol neurolysis to the entrapment site of the LFCN. Results The mean age of the patients in Group 1 was 42.2 years and in Group 2 was 40.8 years. The mean follow-up period of Group 1 was 28.7 months and Group 2 was 28.4 months. At the end of the follow-up period 9 patients in Group 1 and 10 patients in Group 2 declared full pain relief and improvement in cutaneous sensitivity. Conclusion Once meralgia paresthetica has persisted corticosteroid injection and alcohol neurolysis are both effective methods. Although the recurrence rates are higher in corticosteroid injection, both treatment methods decreased the pain and improved the patients’ satisfaction and long-term curative effect.