Positioning for Hip Arthroscopic Surgery to Reduce Postoperative Numbness

Does the Addition of a Traction Pad Reduce the Rate of Postoperative Pudendal Neuralgia?

Compared to the knee and shoulder, the hip joint leaves relatively little space to maneuver arthroscopic instruments and camera. To expand the potential space in the hip joint, traction is commonly applied to the operative leg through a perineal post. This is an effective technique to improve the working space for arthroscopy, however it has been associated with complications, including perineal numbness. Traction pads, used alone or with a perineal post, can reduce pressure on the perineal area, thus reducing numbness. The investigators hypothesize that positioning hip arthroscopy patients using a traction pad on a standard traction table with a perineal post will reduce the incidence and duration of postoperative perineal numbness.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All patients presenting to Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) or to a Northwestern orthopaedic surgery faculty member's clinic undergoing hip arthroscopy
• Ability to read and speak English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Revision surgery
• Oncologic surgery
• Use of regional anesthesia
• Arthroscopic hip surgery that involves procedures other than labral repair, acetabuloplasty, CAM-plasty, IT band windowing, Iliopsoas lengthening