Kalore Niraj V., Jiranek William A. Save the Torn Labrum in Hips With Borderline Acetabular Coverage. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 2012;470(12):3406-3413. doi:10.1007/s11999-012-2499-9.
Abstract
Background
Hip arthroscopy for labral tears improves short-term function, but reoperations occur in 5% to 47% of patients. The effect of borderline acetabular coverage on reoperation rate has been debated. Labral repair rather than débridement has been proposed to improve function, but the effect on reoperation rate is unclear.
Questions/Purposes
We determined whether (1) borderline compared to adequate acetabular coverage increased reoperations and (2) labral repair compared to débridement reduced reoperations.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 106 patients (mean age, 39 years) who underwent hip arthroscopy for labral tears. Based on radiographs, we classified patients into those with borderline (n = 50) or adequate (n = 56) acetabular coverage. We further divided each group into those with labral débridement or repair: borderline acetabular coverage, n = 25 and 25, respectively; adequate acetabular coverage, n = 39 and 17, respectively. We assessed reoperations in borderline versus adequate acetabular coverage and labral débridement versus repair, modified Harris hip scores (mHHSs), and survival. Minimum followup was 12 months (mean, 33 months; range, 12–65 months).
Results
Twenty-three of 106 patients had reoperations. Reoperation rate was higher with borderline than with adequate acetabular coverage. Reoperation rate was lower with labral repair than with débridement. Survival to reoperation was similar in the four subgroups although there was a tendency for early reoperation in patients with borderline acetabular coverage with débridement. Improvement in mean mHHS was comparable in the four subgroups.
Conclusions
We found borderline acetabular coverage increased reoperation rates. Labral repair reduced the likelihood of reoperation, especially in hips with borderline acetabular coverage. Hip arthroscopy for labral tears was associated with high reoperation rates in hips with borderline acetabular coverage.
Level of Evidence
Level IV, prognostic study.
Last Updated on September 29, 2026
🔗 Knowledge Graph & Clinical Correlates
OrthopaedicsOne Living Semantic Network🛠️ Operative Techniques
- Turf Toe Injuries Sports Medicine
- Triple innominate osteotomy Hip and Knee
- The Disabled Throwing Shoulder Sports Medicine
- Single-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction Sports Medicine
🧭 Surgical Approaches & Danger Zones
- Stoppa approach Pelvis and Acetabulum
🩺 Clinical Conditions & Indications
- Turf toe Introduction Despite its rather benign namesake, turf toe is a incapacitating injury that plagues many athletes who participate...
- Sports Medicine ACE Reports What's New class="deck" history="true" loopcards="false" effecttype="" effectduration="1.0" nextafter="0.0"> class="deck-card " style="" cssclass="" accesskey="" label="Latest Updates" title="" nextafter="0" effecttype=""...
- SLAP lesions 1. High-Yield Summary Definition: Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) lesions involve pathologic detachment or tearing of the...
🔬 Anatomy, Pathology & Diagnostics
- What Are the Factors Associated with Acetabular Correction in Perthes-like Hip Deformities Pelvis and Acetabulum
- Venography Pelvis and Acetabulum
- Urokinase Plasminogen Activator System – A Multifunction Role in Tumour Progression and Metastasis Pelvis and Acetabulum
- The Role of Periosteum in Cartilage Repair General Musculoskeletal