Arthroscopy Techniques (Feb 2013)

Hip Arthroscopy for Challenging Deformities: Posterior Cam Decompression

  • Dean K. Matsuda, M.D.,
  • Dylan Hanami, B.S.

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 1
pp. e45 – e49

Abstract

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Since the classic description of cam femoroacetabular impingement occurring in the anterolateral quadrant of the proximal femur, there has been growing evidence of cam impingement extending outside of this region. Although anteromedial cam decompression may be performed, posterior cam decompression is at higher theoretic risk of vascular embarrassment with osteonecrosis and/or tensile failure with fracture, leading some investigators to believe that these major deformities require open surgical correction. We present a less invasive method of arthroscopic posterior cam decompression using the modified midanterior portal while avoiding the posterolateral vasculature of the proximal femur.