Hip Arthroscopy in Patients with Spine Pain: Outcomes Vary Compared to Patients with Isolated Hip Pathology, but Many Hip-Spine Patients Do Just as Well

Low back pain present concurrently with hip impingement or labral pathology is frustrating for both patient and surgeon. It is difficult to distinguish true hip pathology from secondary low back symptoms, even with the use of diagnostic injections, cross-sectional imaging, electromyography, and/or nerve conduction studies. In addition, even properly indicated hip arthroscopy can exacerbate sciatic nerve dysfunction, a known complication from traction, and altered gait in the early postoperative period can aggravate sacroiliac and lumbar pathology.
Source: Arthroscopy - Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery - Category: Surgery Authors: Tags: Editorial Commentary Source Type: research