Unhealed and healed capsules after hip arthroscopy can have similar outcomes, but the preponderance of evidence still favors closure.

Abstract

Routine capsular closure following hip arthroscopy remains controversial. The hip capsule is important for hip stability, but this can sometimes heal after a small periportal or intraportal capsulotomy without closure. While reliable healing of intraportal capsulotomies can be achieved with capsular closure, multiple systematic reviews show improved outcomes and less revision surgery after capsular closure. In my practice, I do an interportal capsulotomy in all patients, and I close or plicate the capsule.