The Contribution of Soft Tissue and Bony Stabilizers to the Hip Suction Seal: A Systematic Review of Biomechanical Studies

Alexander J Hoffer; Wouter Beel; K C Geoffrey Ng; Ryan M Degen

doi:10.1177/03635465231208193

The Contribution of Soft Tissue and Bony Stabilizers to the Hip Suction Seal: A Systematic Review of Biomechanical Studies

Am J Sports Med. 2024 Feb 6:3635465231208193. doi: 10.1177/03635465231208193. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Alexander J Hoffer^{1

2}, Wouter Beel^{1

2}, K C Geoffrey Ng^{1

3

4

5}, Ryan M Degen^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
² Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, London, Ontario, Canada.
³ Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁴ Department of Medical Imaging, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁵ Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.

PMID: 38318815
DOI: 10.1177/03635465231208193

Abstract

Background: Previous biomechanical studies have identified capsular closure, labral repair or reconstruction, and osteochondroplasty as important surgical interventions to improve hip stability.

Purpose: To investigate the outcome metrics used to quantify hip stability and assess and measure the relative contributions of the labrum, capsule, and bone to hip stability through a quantitative analysis.

Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: PubMed and Embase databases were searched using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Included studies evaluated cadaveric hip biomechanics related to capsular, labral, and bony management during hip arthroscopy. Studies were assessed for distraction force and distance, fluid measures, and contact forces used to quantify the suction seal. Exclusion criteria included open surgery, arthroplasty, reorientation osteotomy, or traumatic dislocation.

Results: A total of 33 biomechanical studies comprising 322 hips that evaluated 1 or more of the following were included: distraction force or distance (24 studies), fluid measures (10 studies), and contact forces (6 studies). Compared with a capsulotomy or capsulectomy, capsular repair or reconstruction demonstrated greater resistance to distraction (standardized mean difference [SMD], 1.13; 95% CI, 0.46-1.80; P = .0009). Compared with a labral tear, a labral repair or reconstruction demonstrated less resistance to distraction (SMD, -0.67; 95% CI, -1.25 to -0.09; P = .02). Compared with a labral debridement, repair or reconstruction demonstrated greater resistance to distraction (SMD, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.26; P < .00001). No quantitative analysis was feasible from studies evaluating the effect of osseous resection due to the heterogeneity in methodology and outcome metrics assessed.

Conclusion: Most biomechanical evidence supports capsulotomy repair or reconstruction to improve hip distractive stability at the end of hip arthroscopic surgery. While the repair of a torn labrum does not improve distractive resistance, it is superior to labral debridement in most biomechanical studies.

Keywords: biomechanics, general; hip arthroscopy; hip: femoroacetabular impingement.