Editorial Commentary: Hip Cam Overresection May Result in Inferior Outcomes: The Goldilocks Paradox of Too Little, Too Much, or Just Right?

Abstract

Femoroacetabular impingement is a recognized source of hip pain and cause of labral and articular cartilage injury. Persistent femoroacetabular impingement has been recognized as a source of inferior patient-reported outcomes, and attempts to define a "normal" α-angle has resulted in more aggressive resection of cam lesions. An overzealous femoroplasty may result in iatrogenic hip instability. A dynamic intraoperative examination may be the best way to truly recognize this problem, in particular, by visualizing the loss of the suction seal, as the cam resection engages the acetabulum, resulting in subluxation. A soft tissue "remplissage" salvage procedure may offer an option to correct cam overresection and improve patient outcomes during revision arthroscopy, as we continue to search for the "right" amount of cam correction to perform.