BackgroundThe authors report the results of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) treated with a surgical dislocation.MethodsFrom April 2005 to May 2007, 15 FAI hips were treated with a surgical dislocation. The male/female ratio, mean age and mean symptom duration was 12/2, 35.8 years and 2.3 years, respectively. Radiographs and MR arthrograms were taken. The clinical evaluation involved changes in the pre- and postoperative Harris hip score (HHS).ResultsThere were 12 hips (80%) with at least one structural abnormality in the radiographs, with 11 (79%) labral tears and 8 (73%) abnormally high angles in the MR arthrograms. We performed 15 osteochondroplasties, 12 labral repairs, 12 acetabuloplasty, and 3 debridements. The mean HHS improved from 76 to 93 points. Three non-unions of the trochanteric osteotomy sites were encountered as complications.ConclusionsRadiographs and MR arthrograms are important for making a proper diagnosis of FAI and planning treatment. A surgical dislocation can be used to treat FAI but further technical improvements will be needed for fixation of the greater trochanteric osteotomy sites.