Arthroscopic Management of Primary Synovial Chondromatosis of the Hip

PURPOSE: We evaluated clinical outcomes after hip arthroscopy in patients with primary synovial chondromatosis (SC). METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 11 patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for primary SC at a mean follow-up of 22 months (range, 12 to 36 months). Clinical preoperative and postoperative evaluation was performed with the Harris hip score. The preoperative evaluation included plain radiographs and magnetic resonance (MR) scanning to detect number and positioning of intra-articular radiopaque loose bodies. The osteochondral damage was graded using the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. The chondral surfaces of both the acetabulum and femoral head were graded according to the Outerbridge scale. RESULTS: The clinical score improved postoperatively. There were statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative Harris hip scores (P < .05). Outcomes were rated as very satisfactory and satisfactory in 3 and 5 of 11 patients, respectively. The osteochondral damage ranged between stages 1 and 2. No complications related to surgical procedures were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Hip arthroscopy for the treatment of patients with primary SC showed good clinical results without any complications related to the surgical procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.