The Role of Hip Arthroscopy in the Management of Acute Arthritis of Hip

Septic arthritis of hip is an orthopaedic emergency requiring early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment to avoid grave complications like avascular necrosis and chondrolysis and post-infectious arthrosis. This is a retrospective review of 9 patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for suspected septic arthritis of hip from 2012 to 2018. Medical charts were reviewed to determine the efficacy of the use of hip arthroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of acute hip arthritis. The age of patients ranged from 9 to 82. The mean follow-up was 29 months (1 to 49). All presented with hip pain and effusion in imaging by CT scan or ultrasonography. Fever was present in 5 out of 9 patients. Hip arthroscopy with 2 portals technique and joint lavage +/- debridement was done. Two patients had whitish suspension in the joint fluid and pathology confirmed pseudogout of hip. The remaining 7 patients were diagnosed and treated as septic hip arthritis. Only 3 had positive culture, probably related to the prior use of antibiotics. All except one responds well to arthroscopic debridement and lavage with infection eradicated, good hip motion and hip function. One patient of delayed treatment (2 weeks after onset of hip pain) had ongoing infection, requiring further arthrotomy and Girdlestone operation for uncontrolled hip infection with intramuscular abscess of vastus lateralis. Hip arthroscopy is a useful diagnostic tool in acute hip arthritis. Besides septic arthritis, monoarticular attack of psuedogout is an important differential diagnosis of acute hip pain in elderly. Early hip arthroscopy can result in rapid postoperative recovery. Arthroscopic lavage and debridement is safe and a good alternative to open arthrotomy in hip septic arthritis.