Location and Radiological Features of the Synovial Pit and Its Usefulness in Hip Arthroscopy

Main Article Content

Agustín Oscar Perea
Ricardo Munafó Dauccia
Ignacio Troncoso Pesoa

Abstract

Introduction: The synovial pit is a cystic lesion or notch in the femoral neck, initially regarded as an incidental finding but more recently associated with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). It is observed in approximately 5% of the general population, with a higher prevalence in men, and in up to 33% of patients with FAI. Its identification is clinically relevant given its association with labral and articular cartilage damage, although its origin may be related to both femoral (cam) and acetabular (pincer) morphological abnormalities, making it difficult to attribute to a single cause.
Materials and Methods: A total of 388 hip arthroscopies performed between 2018 and 2023 were included. Radiographs and complementary imaging studies were analyzed to classify morphological abnormalities and describe synovial pit characteristics. Measurements included the lateral center-edge angle, acetabular index, and alpha angle.
Results: In patients with predominantly femoral abnormalities, impingement tended to occur more proximally, and the synovial pit was located in that region; conversely, when acetabular abnormalities predominated, impingement occurred more distally. No other variables reached statistical significance.
Conclusion: The presence and features of the synovial pit in preoperative imaging, as well as its intraoperative identification during hip arthroscopy, may provide additional insight into the mechanisms of femoroacetabular impingement and its biomechanics.

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How to Cite
Perea, A. O., Munafó Dauccia, R., & Troncoso Pesoa, I. (2025). Location and Radiological Features of the Synovial Pit and Its Usefulness in Hip Arthroscopy. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 90(5), 446-456. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2025.90.5.2069
Section
Clinical Research
Author Biographies

Agustín Oscar Perea, Hip Unit, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio de La Trinidad, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hip Unit, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio de La Trinidad, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Ricardo Munafó Dauccia, Hip Unit, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio de La Trinidad, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hip Unit, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio de La Trinidad, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Ignacio Troncoso Pesoa, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, CEMIC Hospital Universitario, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, CEMIC Hospital Universitario, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

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