Background: Hip microinstability is an established diagnosis; however, its occurrence is still debated by many physicians. Diagnosis of hip microinstability is often challenging, due to a lack of specific signs or symptoms, and patients may remain undiagnosed for long periods. This may lead to early manifestation of degenerative joint disease. Consequently, careful patient and family history must be obtained and diagnostic imaging should follow. After a thorough clinical evaluation of the patient with suspected hip microinstability, the physician should focus on how to improve symptoms and functionality in daily and sports activities. Purpose: The purpose of this review article was to give a current update regarding this diagnosis and to provide a complete diagnostic approach in order to effectively treat hip microinstability. Methods: We reviewed the literature on the diagnosis, the non-operative and operative indications for the treatment of this complex and often misdiagnosed pathology. Conclusion: Conservative treatment is considered the best initial approach, though, surgical intervention should be considered if symptoms persist or other hip pathology exists. Successful surgical intervention, such as hip arthroscopy, should focus on restoring the normal anatomy of the hip joint in order to regain its functionality.The role of the hip joint capsule has gained particular research interest during the last years, and its repair or reconstruction during hip arthroscopy is considered necessary in order to avoid iatrogenic hip microinstability. Various capsular closure/plication techniques have been developed towards this direction with encouraging results. Level of evidence: V.KEY WORDS: hip arthroscopy, hip microinstability, hip dysplasia.

The arthroscopic management of FAI in symptomatic professional soccer players allowed 96% of them to return to play. Players with national team experience were able to return to play earlier than those without it. Severe chondral damage and microfracture did not interfere with return to play.

The purpose of this study was to determine the outcomes following segmental labral reconstruction (labral defects measuring <1 cm) using a segment of capsular tissue or a segment of the indirect head of rectus femoris tendon. Eleven patients (five females and six males) underwent segmental labral reconstruction using a segment of capsule (eight patients) or indirect head of rectus tendon (three patients) by a single surgeon from March 2005 to October 2012. The average age of the patients was 35 years old (range, 20–51 years). Data collected included the pre- and post-operative Hip Outcome Score (HOS-ADL and HOS-SS), the modified Harris Hip Score and patient satisfaction rate (1 = unsatisfied, 10 = very satisfied), complications, necessity of revision hip arthroscopy and conversion to total hip arthroplasty. Average follow-up time was at 62 months (range, 9–120 months). No patient required revision hip arthroscopy or converted to total hip arthroplasty. The HOS-ADL significantly improved from 73 to 89 (P < 0.05). The HOS-SS showed significant improvement from 52 to 79 and the modified Harris Hip Score significantly improved from 66 to 89. Median patient satisfaction rate was 9 out of 10 (range, 3–10). In a small sample, the arthroscopic hip segmental labral reconstruction showed significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes. This treatment provides an option in cases of small labrum defects (<1 cm) or deficits in patients while providing improved function and high patient satisfaction.

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