What the study found
At 10-year follow-up, most competitive athletes who did not need another operation were still playing sport after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), a hip condition where the joint shape causes pain and movement problems. Some athletes had also gone on to total hip replacement (THR) or revision arthroscopy.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the results indicate high survivorship and continued sport participation 10 years after arthroscopy for FAI in an athletic cohort.
What the researchers tested
The researchers followed 132 competitive athletes who had primary hip arthroscopy for symptomatic FAI between January 2009 and October 2013. At a mean of 121 ± 6 months, they recorded THR and revision arthroscopy, measured current sport participation for those without additional surgery, and compared patient-reported outcome measures from baseline to follow-up.
What worked and what didn't
Of the 132 athletes, 12 (9.1%) converted to THR and 22 (16.7%) had revision arthroscopy. Among 98 athletes without additional surgery, 77 reported current activity, and 64 of those remained active; 33 were fully pain-free, 4 participated despite pain, and 27 had modified activity. Significant improvement was seen in modified Harris Hip Score and SF36, while WOMAC and UCLA scores did not show a statistical difference.
What to keep in mind
This was a Level IV case series, so the abstract does not describe a comparison group. The summary also does not provide detailed limitations beyond the study design and the fact that results apply to the athletic cohort studied.
Key points
- 132 competitive athletes were followed for a mean of 121 ± 6 months after primary hip arthroscopy for symptomatic FAI.
- At 10 years, 9.1% had converted to total hip replacement and 16.7% had revision arthroscopy.
- Among athletes without additional surgery, 83% continued to play sport.
- In the active group, 33 athletes were fully pain-free, 4 played despite pain, and 27 had modified activity.
- Modified Harris Hip Score and SF36 improved significantly, while WOMAC and UCLA did not show statistical change.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Most athletes maintained sport participation 10 years after hip arthroscopy
- Image credit:
- Photo by Viktors Duks on Pexels
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