
A muscle divot is a dent or gap in a muscle, which is usually the result of a muscle strain or tear. Muscle divots can occur in the cartilage-bearing surface of joints, such as the hip, and can be repaired with outpatient techniques. A femoral head divot is a rare finding during hip arthroscopy, and it is characterised by a linear indentation on the femoral head, which is lateral and parallel to the acetabular labrum.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A femoral head "divot" is a rare finding during hip arthroscopy. |
| Identification | A linear chondral indentation can be observed on the femoral head, just lateral and parallel to the acetabular labrum. |
| Diagnosis | The femoral head divot sign is valuable for the diagnosis of microinstability during hip arthroscopy. |
| Management | Recognition of a femoral head divot may help guide appropriate management, such as capsular plication. |
| Prevalence | Further studies are needed to determine the exact prevalence of the femoral head divot in patients with microinstability. |
| Examination | Preoperative radiographs and MRI scans are used to evaluate patients with the identified divot sign. |
| Symptoms | Painful internal snapping preoperatively. |
| Treatment | Full-thickness chondral lesions were treated using microfracture, labral repair, or reconstruction. |
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What You'll Learn

A muscle divot is a rare finding during hip arthroscopy
The femoral head divot sign is a valuable arthroscopic indicator of hip microinstability, which is gaining recognition as a significant contributor to hip pain in adults. It can be challenging to diagnose hip microinstability, and no specific diagnostic tests or physical examination findings are solely indicative of this condition. However, the presence of a femoral head divot, along with other radiographic or physical examination findings, can provide valuable insights into hip microinstability.
The management of hip microinstability may involve various techniques, including iliopsoas fractional lengthening, labral repair or reconstruction, and capsular plication. Iliopsoas fractional lengthening involves carefully preserving the capsule for subsequent closure or plication while avoiding extending into the muscle belly. Labral repair or reconstruction techniques are also employed to address full-thickness chondral lesions of the acetabulum or femoral head. Capsular plication is performed based on clinical evaluations of hyperlaxity.
Further research is needed to determine the precise prevalence of the femoral head divot in patients with hip microinstability and to assess the impact of this finding on patient outcomes. Additionally, the effectiveness of different management approaches, such as capsular plication, in addressing hip microinstability associated with the femoral head divot requires further evaluation.
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It is a linear indentation on the femoral head
A muscle divot, or a femoral head divot, is a rare finding during hip arthroscopy. It is a linear indentation or chondral/osteochondral indentation on the femoral head, just lateral and parallel to the acetabular rim and labrum. The divot can be observed on the femoral head when the hip is in flexion and neutral rotation. Upon flexion and rotation of the hip joint, the divot can be seen entering under the labrum and into the functional joint.
The femoral head divot sign is indicative of hip microinstability, which is a major contributor to hip pain in adults and a possible risk factor for early arthritis. Recognition of this sign during hip arthroscopy may help guide appropriate management, such as capsular plication.
Further studies are needed to determine the exact prevalence of the femoral head divot in patients with hip microinstability and to evaluate its effect on patient outcomes. However, the current understanding suggests that the presence of a femoral head divot is associated with radiographic and physical examination findings of hip microinstability, which can be caused by acetabular dysplasia or ligamentous laxity.
The diagnosis of hip microinstability can be challenging, especially when the primary symptom is pain without a noticeable sensation of joint instability. Microinstability may exist even with normal or near-normal radiographic imaging, and there are currently no pathognomonic diagnostic tests or physical examination findings for it.
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It is a sign of hip microinstability
A muscle divot, or a femoral head divot, is a rare arthroscopic finding during hip arthroscopy. It is observed as a linear chondral indentation on the femoral head, just lateral and parallel to the acetabular labrum. The presence of a femoral head divot is a sign of hip microinstability, which can be caused by acetabular dysplasia or ligamentous laxity.
Hip microinstability is a challenging diagnosis, especially when the main symptom is pain without a noticeable sensation of joint instability. It can exist in patients with normal or near-normal radiographic imaging and no history of connective tissue disorders. The femoral head divot sign can be valuable in diagnosing hip microinstability during hip arthroscopy and guiding appropriate management, such as capsular plication.
The identification of the femoral head divot is significant as it can help in the early detection and management of hip microinstability. This condition is gaining recognition as a significant contributor to hip pain in adults and as a potential risk factor for early arthritis. By recognizing the femoral head divot, healthcare professionals can initiate appropriate interventions to address the underlying microinstability and alleviate pain.
Furthermore, the presence of the femoral head divot sign can inform clinical decision-making and patient management. For patients presenting with hip pain and microinstability, the identification of this sign can influence the choice of treatment modalities. It may prompt healthcare providers to consider conservative management, such as physical therapy or targeted exercises, to improve hip stability and reduce pain. In some cases, surgical interventions, such as capsular plication, may be considered to address the underlying instability and improve patient outcomes.
While the femoral head divot sign is a valuable finding, further studies are needed to determine its exact prevalence in patients with hip microinstability. Additionally, more research is required to evaluate the impact of this finding on patient outcomes and the long-term effectiveness of various treatment approaches. Nonetheless, the recognition of the femoral head divot sign during hip arthroscopy is a crucial step in the evaluation and management of patients with suspected hip microinstability.
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Divots in cartilage were long thought irreparable
A "divot" is a term used to describe a cavity or chunk of turf that gets dug out of the ground. In the context of medicine, a "muscle divot" refers specifically to a femoral head divot, which is a rare finding during hip arthroscopy. It is characterised by a linear chondral indentation on the femoral head, just lateral and parallel to the acetabular labrum. This indentation can be observed during hip flexion and rotation, where it enters under the labrum and into the functional joint.
Divots in cartilage, particularly in weight-bearing joints, were once believed to be irreparable. This belief dates back to the Hippocratic era and was reiterated by physician William Hunter in 1743, who stated, "cartilage is a troublesome thing, once injured, never repaired." Orthopaedic surgeons were taught this dogma, and it was thought that arthritis of the joints was the inevitable outcome.
However, it was observed that isolated cartilage injuries sometimes healed on their own or did not cause significant problems. In the early 1990s, two major approaches were developed to address cartilage healing. The first involved growing cartilage cells (chondrocytes) in a lab, injecting them into the defect, and covering them with fibrous tissue from the bone. This method was costly and relied on the cells staying in place. The second approach, called articular cartilage paste grafting, involved taking a core of cartilage and bone from the intercondylar notch of the knee, mashing it into a paste, and packing it into the defect. This technique activated cartilage cells to release growth factors and stimulated more normal healing.
While more research is needed, current studies suggest that isolated divots in the cartilage can be repaired with simple, inexpensive outpatient techniques. This contradicts the long-held belief that cartilage divots are irreparable.
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There are several repair approaches, including cartilage paste grafting
A muscle divot refers to holes in the cartilage-bearing surface of joints. For most of the 20th century, methods for repairing cartilage injuries focused on bone marrow stimulation. This involved using drill bits or awls to create passageways for marrow cells to exit onto the fractured surface and create a "super clot". While this method was believed to induce the production of new cartilage, the repair tissue often resembled scar tissue and lacked the durability required for impact sports.
In the early 1990s, two major approaches were introduced to address the shortcomings of cartilage healing:
- The first approach involved growing cartilage cells called chondrocytes in a lab, injecting them into the cartilage defect, and covering them with a layer of fibrous tissue from the bone. However, this technique required multiple surgeries and expensive laboratory work, and it was challenging to keep the cells in place.
- The second approach utilised plugs of intact cartilage and bone from other parts of the knee or from donors, which were transplanted into the defects like hair transplants.
Despite these advancements, a significant challenge remained in repairing cartilage divots, especially in athletes and individuals with severe sports injuries or arthritis. Articular cartilage paste grafting, pioneered in 1991, emerged as a promising solution. This technique involves turning the dead divot or arthritic area of the joint into a fresh fracture. A mixture of the patient's own articular cartilage, bone, and underlying cells is then pasted onto the fracture. The cartilage and bone core is taken from the intercondylar notch of the knee, where it is not needed and naturally regenerates. This method has been proven to be superior to marrow stimulation alone and has produced successful outcomes in both humans and animals.
In conclusion, while muscle divots were once believed to be irreparable, various repair approaches, including articular cartilage paste grafting, have been developed to address this issue. These techniques offer hope for individuals suffering from cartilage injuries, particularly those with severe sports injuries or arthritis, by providing effective and durable cartilage repair solutions.
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Frequently asked questions
A muscle divot is a dent or gap in the muscle where it has torn.
Muscle divots are caused by muscle strains, which happen when a muscle is pulled too far and tears.
Symptoms of a muscle divot include pain, difficulty walking or using the affected muscle, swelling, and bruising.
Treatment for a muscle divot depends on the severity of the strain. Mild and moderate strains typically heal with rest and do not require surgery. Very severe strains may require physical therapy or surgery to regain muscle function.











































