Arthroscopic Bullet Removal From the Central and Peripheral Compartments of the Hip Joint

Abstract

Recent advances in hip arthroscopy offer an approach for treating an uncommon but highly disabling injury from intra-articular missile injury to the hip. Hip arthroscopy affords the patient the benefit of minimally invasive surgery while allowing for the diagnosis and treatment of concomitant pathology, which may be either acute, from the trauma of the missile, or chronic. We present a technique for the removal of projectiles from the central and peripheral compartments of the hip joint. Through a surgical series of a variety of gunshot wounds, we detail the unique aspects of retrieval for the various missile endpoints. We describe this technique for bullets or pieces of bullets lodged within the hip joint space, bone of the acetabulum, or femoral head. Furthermore, we provide an example in which hip arthroscopy is not a suitable option for treatment because of the resulting fracture pattern, which necessitates open reduction along with internal fixation.