The surgical treatment of femoroacetabular impingement has become more common, yet the strength of clinical evidence to support this surgery is debated. We performed a systematic review of the literature to (1) define the level of evidence regarding hip impingement surgery; (2) determine whether the surgery relieves pain and improves function; (3) identify the complications; and (4) identify modifiable causes of failure (conversion to total hip arthroplasty). We searched the literature between 1950 and 2009 for all studies reporting on surgical treatment of femoroacetabular impingement. Studies with clinical outcome data and minimum two year followup were analyzed. Eleven studies met our criteria for inclusion. Nine were Level IV and two were Level III. Mean followup was 3.2 years; range (2-5.2 years). Reduced pain and improvement in hip function were reported in all studies. Conversion to THA was reported in 0% to 26% of cases. Major complications occurred in 0% to 18% of the procedures. Current evidence regarding femoroacetabular impingement surgery is primarily Level IV and suggests the various surgical techniques are associated with pain relief and improved function in 68-96% of patients over short-term followup. Long-term followup is needed to determine survivorship and impact on osteoarthritis progression and natural history.

Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is an effective acetabular reorientation technique for treatment of symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. In hips with severe deformities, an adjunctive femoral osteotomy (PFO) may optimize correction, joint stability, and congruency. We analyzed the clinical and radiographic results of combined PAO/PFO in treating severe hip deformities. Second, we compared the clinical results of patients treated with PAO/ PFO with patients treated with isolated PAO for lesser deformities. Twenty-five patients (28 hips) treated with PAO/PFO were reviewed and followed a minimum of 16 months (mean, 44 months). The matched PAO cohort included 25 patients (28 hips). For the PAO/PFO group, the average Harris hip score improved from 60.9 to 86.3. Eighty-nine percent of the patients demonstrated at least a 10-point improvement in the hip score and 75% had a Harris hip score over 80 points. Radiographic evaluation demonstrated consistent deformity correction. The PAO/ PFO group had a lower average Harris hip score preoperatively, yet hip function after surgery was comparable between groups. These data indicate combined PAO/ PFO is associated with improved hip function in most patients. These clinical results are comparable to those obtained with isolated PAO for lesser hip deformities.