Editorial Commentary: Patients Who Achieve a Minimal Clinically Important Difference (Feel Better) Early After Hip Arthroscopy Have the Highest Rates of Long-Term Satisfaction

Analyzing patient-reported outcomes using the lens of the minimal clinical important difference (MCID) and patient acceptable symptomatic state allows surgeons to assess patient recovery at the individual level and make necessary changes to management if necessary. When patients with femoroacetabular impingement achieve MCID 6 months after arthroscopic treatment, they achieve patient acceptable symptomatic state 2 years postoperatively 88% of the time. The findings highlight the importance of the postoperative recovery trajectory and illustrate a quantitative way to study the progress of individual patients along their care journey.