Published online Jan 18, 2020. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v11.i1.27
Peer-review started: March 8, 2019
First decision: April 16, 2019
Revised: May 16, 2019
Accepted: November 6, 2019
Article in press: November 6, 2019
Published online: January 18, 2020
Core tip: It is well understood that femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a predisposing factor for secondary osteoarthritis of the hip joint. The two extensively described impingement mechanisms of FAI are CAM and Pincer-type. If conservative management fails, a surgical approach can be chosen. The measurement of the alpha angle is considered a standard method of assessing the severity of pathology in Cam-type FAI on pre-operative plain radiographs. The radiological correction of the alpha angle, as measured on a lateral view radiograph, has not been previously compared between different surgical approaches. This article compares the magnitude of alpha angle correction achieved by using two different operative techniques: the Ganz surgical hip dislocation and the anterior mini-open approach. Seventy-nine patients were identified in a 5-year period who underwent surgery at our institution. Statistically significant decreases in alpha angle were noted for both surgical techniques, with larger decreases seen in the anterior mini-open group.