Arthroscopic Treatment of Labral Tears and Concurrent Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head in Young Adults

Abstract

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a progressive disease affecting young adults that results in collapse of the femoral head and subsequent degenerative joint disease. Although precollapse stages of AVN can be successfully treated with core decompression, making the diagnosis is often difficult given alternative sources of hip pain in this age group. We propose that arthroscopic-assisted core decompression of the femoral head offers an effective method of addressing AVN of the femoral head as well as coexistent hip disorders in the same operation. This article describes in detail the technique used to perform an arthroscopic-assisted core decompression of the femoral head, and a companion video demonstrating the procedure is included. Our experience suggests that arthroscopic-assisted core decompression can be used as an alternative to open core decompression, while simultaneously addressing other sources of hip pain, with successful outcomes.