The State of Hip Arthroscopy in Russia: Assessment Based on a Sociological Survey of Doctors

Abstract

Background. Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique most commonly performed to correct femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Currently, it is widely used by worldwide; in addition, there are a significant number of english-language publications on this topic. The number of hip arthroscopy performed in Russia is unknown. Information about this surgical technique is also very limited in our country. The aim of the study was to assess the level of hip arthroscopy in Russia. Methods. A total sociological survey of orthopaedic surgeon with experience in performing hip arthroscopy was conducted. The questionnaire was posted on the Google Forms platform and consisted of 13 questions of closed, semi-closed and open types. The survey included 54 surgeons from Russian clinics, 45 people filled out the questionnaire. Results. Among the respondents, doctors with experience in performing arthroscopic operations on the knee and shoulder joints predominated (100.000.00% and 93.300.03%, respectively). The majority of specialists (73.300.06%) were trained in hip arthroscopy during the primary course in one of the clinics in Russia. More than half of the respondents (68.800.06%) are currently engaged in this surgical area, however, in 45.160.07% of them, the number of operations does not exceed 5 per year. For surgeons who have completed two or more training courses, the volume of operations performed is higher (p0.05); 51.110.07% of doctors perform arthroscopy using an alternative technique. There are 2.5 time more specialists doing just bone resection, than surgeons who apply any kind of reconstruction technique while treating FAI (p0.05). Fifteen respondents (48.390.08%) perform debridement as an attempt to delay arthroplasty. The most common difficulties faced by surgeon are problems with the diagnosis of FAI (no patients) (40.000.02%), lack of the necessary tools (40.000.02%) and sufficient time to master the technique (33.300.07%). Only three (6.600.07%) respondents believe that they manage to achieve the planned results of the operation, 93.300.03% of surgeons said that it is not always possible to achieve the desired outcomes. Conclusion. Hip arthroscopy in Russia is not very common, the volume of such interventions is insignificant. Doctors with minimal skills in arthroscopic hip surgery predominate. Factors that impede the development of this area in our country are related to teaching methods, problems with FAI diagnostics, the lack of necessary instruments for performing operations, and the lack of time for specialists to master surgical techniques.