Editorial Commentary: Hip Arthroscopy-Safe, Effective, and Still Improving in Older Nonarthritic Patients

Abstract

Hip arthroscopy in nonarthritic patients 60 or older has been increasingly reported in short-term outcome studies. The rise in hip-preservation operations in this population has been associated with encouraging improvements in patient-reported outcome scores. More stringent radiographic indications (at least 2 mm of joint space and Tönnis osteoarthritis grade ≤1) during patient selection have also yielded better outcomes. Delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage is another tool that should be considered during preoperative planning. With improvements in preoperative workup, imaging, and surgical technique, we anticipate that hip arthroscopy will continue to show positive results in an older patient population when carefully selected.