Introduction: There have been several recent studies outlining the role of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) as a cause of early osteoarthritis in the non-dysplastic hip. The lesions can either be on the femoral side “cam” or acetabular “pincer”. The aim of surgical treatment of FAI is to improve the femoral head neck offset thereby improving joint clearance and preventing abutment of the femoral neck against the acetabulum. The classic treatment for FAI pioneered by Ganz involves dislocation of the femoral head through a trochanteric flip osteotomy. The procedure is extensive, technically difficult and not without complications.

Hip arthroscopic debridement of FAI lesions offers similar results to open procedures allowing for full inspection of the joint and the treatment of any chondral lesion but with a quicker recovery time. It nonetheless has a very long learning curve and even in the most experienced hands the treatment of impingement lesions is complicated and technically challenging.

The purpose of this cadaveric study was to assess the degree of exposure obtained using two different limited anterior approaches to the hip which would allow effective surgical treatment of cam and pincer FAI.

Methods: We investigated two mini anterior approaches to the hip joint based on the Heuter and direct anterior approach to compare the parts of the acetabulum and femoral head exposed for the treatment of FAI in a total of 20 hips in 10 (5 male, 5 female) cadaveric specimens. Neurovascular structures were recorded in relation to the two approaches. The area of femoral head and acetabular rim exposed via each approach was documented and quantified.

Results: We found that the two approaches were easy and reproducible. Both allowed exposure to the anterolateral aspect of the femoral head. The mean length of acetabular rim accessible via the Heuter approach was 1.9cm (1.1–2.4) and 2.2cm (1.2–3) using the direct anterior approach The area of acetabular rim accessible varied according to the approach (p< 0.001). We also found that the position of the anterior inferior iliac spine in relation to the acetabular rim also affected the area of acetabular rim exposed (p< 0.001). The most proximal nerve branch to sartorious was found 7.3cm (6.5–8.7cm) distal to the anterior inferior iliac spine. The most proximal nerve branch to rectus femoris was located 8.6cm (7–10) distal to the anterior inferior iliac spine and was consistently found to be distal to the nerve to sartorious.

Discussion: Treating impingement of the hip through a direct open approach is not a novel idea. A recent report of failed arthroscopic labral debridement, describes treatment of the underlying bony impingement in some cases by a combination of hip arthroscopy followed by anterior arthrotomy.

In summary cam and pincer impingement of the hip can be treated by either the direct anterior or Heuter approach. The choice of approach would be dictated after careful consideration as to which portion of the anterior acetabular rim required surgery, with more lateral acetabular lesions being favoured by the Heuter approach and more medial impingement sites by the anterior approach we have described.