Arthroscopic Treatment of Acetabular Chondral Delamination

Abstract

Acetabular cartilage debonding is associated with an intraoperative finding known as the wave sign. As the result of the difficulties of identifying chondral injuries on preoperative imaging, the wave sign, also known as the bubble sign or carpet phenomenon, provides necessary information on the condition of the acetabular cartilage. Because the wave sign is often observed alongside cam lesions, cartilage debonding may progress to full-thickness defects, exposure of subchondral bone, and degenerative arthritis if not addressed. The objective of this Technical Note is to describe an anatomic arthroscopic repair of delaminate acetabular cartilage associated with the wave sign.