Biomechanical Effect of Capsular Shift in the Treatment of Hip Microinstability. Creation and Testing of a Novel Hip Instability Model
Authors: Jackson Timothy J. , Peterson Alexander Bradley , Akeda Masaki , Estess Allyson A. , McGarry Michelle H. , Adamson Gregory J. , Lee Thay Q. 
Published: August 2015

Objectives:

The objective of the study was to create a cadaveric model of hip capsule laxity and evaluate the biomechanical effects of a capsular shift used to treat hip instability on this model.

Methods:

Eight fresh frozen cadaveric hips, average age 58.5, were tested with a custom hip jig. To create the hip laxity model, the capsule was stretched in extension under 35Nm of torque for 1 hour in neutral rotation. Specimens went through a series of six testing conditions: intact, vented, stretched, capsulotomy, side to side repair, and capsular shift. Specimens were tested in internal (IR) and external (ER) rotational range of motion under 1.5 Nm of torque at 5 positions: 5° extension, 0°, 15°, 30° and 45° flexion. Maximum extension was measured at 5Nm torque, and femoral distraction under 40N and 80N of force. Following creation of the instability model, capsulotomy was performed just distal to and in line with the labrum from 12 o’clock to 4 o’clock through the entire substance of the iliofemoral ligament. Capsulotomies underwent two repairs, including a 1 cm capsular shift technique and side to side repair using #2 vicryl. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA with TUKEY post-hoc analysis.

Results:

Analysis of the “stretched” state showed significantly increased IR at 5° ext, 0° flex, 15° flex, and 30° flex and increased distraction at 40N and 80N as compared to intact (Figure 1)(Table 1). Max extension increased by 6.6° between intact and stretched, however this was not statistically significant. Capsulotomy condition significantly increased ER and IR from intact at all flexion-extension positions. Furthermore, capsulotomy increased distraction at 40N and 80N, as well as max extension, as compared to intact. The repair restored IR back to the stretched state but not to the intact state at 5° ext and 0° flex (19.6° vs 24.5° and 21.8° vs 26.4°, respectively). The capsular shift significantly decreased IR compared to stretched state at 5° ext, 0°, and 15° flex, and at 5° ext and 0° compared to the vented state. Capsular shift restricted IR significantly more than repair at 5° ext, 0° flex, and 15° flex. Capsule shift and repair had similar effects on ER. Distraction distance at 40N and 80N was greater in the repair compared to the shift but this was not statistically significant. The capsular shift decreased distraction as compared to the stretched state but the repair did not. Maximum extension was significantly reduced back to the intact/vented state from the laxity state in the capsular shift but not in the repair.

Conclusion:

The instability model (stretched) was shown to have significantly greater range of motion, extension, and distraction than the intact condition. The greatest effects of capsular shift are seen with internal rotation, extension, and distraction with minimal effect on external rotation. The biomechanical effects of the capsular shift procedure in hip laxity patients show that its use can safely treat pathologic hip capsular laxity.