[Lesions of the acetabular rim. Clinical manifestations, therapeutic strategies and perspectives].

Partial rupture of the acetabular rim have usually been described as accompanying traumatic or dysplasic dislocations of the hip. The five cases reported here are in favor of a specific pathology of this fibrocartilage as it is in the knee or the shoulder. Besides, the functional symptoms are not without reminding that of these two joints with sudden onset of cracks, jerks, blockings and even a real joint instability. The pain is never isolated, but may accompany other disorders. The cases were selected in order to evaluate the clinical manifestations and the therapeutic consequences of such a lesion according to the articular history. The diagnosis can only be confirmed with arthrography, which, in addition, permits to evaluate the size of the rim and the condition of the cartilage. The three patients who underwent surgery presented the lesions shown on arthrography. The problem lies in the possible arthrogenic potential of a tear, left in place because minimally disabling for the patient.