Cam/Pincer Osteoplasty

Hip Anatomy

The hip forms a ball and socket joint. The ball-shaped surface of the femur (thighbone) fits and glides smoothly in a cup-like depression or socket of the acetabulum (hip bone).

What is Femoroacetabular Impingement?

This smooth motion can be affected by an abnormally-shaped femoral bone or socket rim, leading to a condition called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), which limits hip movement. The defective fit causes the bones to rub against each other and damage the cartilage (cushioning smooth tissue on end of bones) that lines the femoral head and acetabulum, and the labrum (fibro-cartilaginous rim around the acetabulum).

Types of Femoroacetabular Impingement

FAI impingement generally occurs as two forms: Cam and Pincer.

• Cam impingement: The Cam form of impingement is when the femoral head and neck are not perfectly round, most commonly due to excess bone that has formed.
• Pincer impingement: The Pincer form of impingement is when the socket or acetabulum rim has overgrown and is too deep. It covers too much of the femoral head, resulting in the labral cartilage being pinched.

What is Cam/Pincer Osteoplasty?

Femoroacetabular impingement can be treated with osteoplasty and rim trimming.

Cam/Pincer Osteoplasty Procedure

Osteoplasty and acetabular rim trimming can be performed as an open surgery or as a minimally invasive procedure using an arthroscope (a thin tube attached to a lighted camera). A single large incision (open surgery) or 2-3 smaller cuts are made to access the femoral head (arthroscopy).

Osteoplasty involves the use of a motorized burr to trim the excess bone at the femur neck. Acetabular rim trimming involves the use of a motorized burr to trim the acetabular rim. The amount of bone removed during this procedure depends on the presence and type of impingement.

In case of labral tears, the surgeon uses anchors and sutures to stitch the torn labrum to the acetabular rim. Your surgeon will also repair any cartilage damage present. Once the cam and pincers are trimmed and damage to the labrum and cartilage are repaired, your surgeon will close the incisions.

Post-op care for Cam/Pincer Osteoplasty

Following the surgery, you will be kept under observation. You may experience numbness or tingling sensation for many hours due to anesthesia. You will be given pain medication to relieve pain and make you feel comfortable, and anti-coagulation therapy to prevent clots in the veins after the surgery. On the day after surgery, you will start physical therapy to teach you exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve range of motion

Risks and Complications of Cam/Pincer Osteoplasty

As with any surgical procedure, hip osteoplasty and rim trimming surgeries may involve the following potential risks and complications:

• Nerve injury
• Scarring
• Infection
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the veins)