Ligamentum teres injuries: diagnosis and treatment with hip arthroscopy

Objective To classify the injuries of ligamentum teres under the arthroscope and evaluate the results of arthroscopic treatment. Methods From February 1990 to December 1999, 73 hips in 68 patients with ligamentum teres injuries were diagnosed and treated with arthroscopy. The abnormalities were classified as complete rupture (28 hips, 28 cases), partial tear (32 hips, 28 cases) and degenerative changes (13 hips, 12 cases). The lesions were treated with ligament stump resection, ligamentplasty and arthroscopic debridement, respectively. The average period of follow up was 42 months. Results Thirty two patients (34 hips) had the adequate follow up, which included 9 cases (9 hips) with complete rupture,13 cases (15 hips) with partial tears and 10 cases (10 hips) with degenerative changes. The Harris score was improved after arthroscopic procedures and difference was statistically significant (P 0.05 or P 0.01). Conclusion Arthroscopy is an effective and reliable method to diagnose and treat hip ligamentum teres injuries.