Abstract
Pincer femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) consists of pathological contact between
the acetabular labrum and rim and the femoral head-neck junction. Manifold conditions
underlie pincer FAI: anatomical abnormalities, malorientation of the acetabulum, torsional
abnormalities of the neck and femoral shaft (these defects can be constitutional,
post-traumatic or post-surgical), and involvement in sports characterized by repeated
and sudden maximum joint excursions. In a high percentage of cases, pincer FAI is
associated with cam FAI.
The aims of surgical treatment of pincer FAI are to eliminate the cause of the contact
and repair the joint damage; the surgery may be open or arthroscopic, performed with
an articular or extra-articular approach. Recently, arthroscopic treatment of FAI
had a rapid and widespread diffusion due to the advantages it offers compared with
the open technique. Arthroscopic treatment can repair the joint damage and in some
cases, characterized by minor deformity, compensate for extra-articular defects. The
acetabular labrum must always be preserved and sutured; only in extreme cases can
it be sacrificed. Post-operative mobilization must respect the healing time of the
labral repair.
Key Words
pincer - femoroacetabular impingement - hip arthroscopy - osteochondroplasty - acetabular
labrum
