Hip arthroscopy with labral repair for femoroacetabular impingement: short-term outcomes

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the progression of clinical outcomes 3, 6 and 12 months after hip arthroscopy with labral repair for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).

Methods

From May 2009 to December 2011, 87 consecutive patients 55 females (median age 38, range 17–63) and 32 males (median age 38, range 15–59)] underwent hip arthroscopy and labral repair, by the same experienced surgeon. Standardised, but unstructured, post-operative rehabilitation instructions were provided. Function and pain were evaluated using modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) pre-operatively and post-operatively at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results

A main effect of time was seen for mHHS and pain (VAS) at 3, 6, and 12 months (p < 0.001). Mean (SE) mHHS improved significantly from 59.9 (1.9) pre-operatively to 74.5 (1.9) after 3 months (p < 0.001), and again from 3 to 6 months from 74.5 (1.9) to 80.1 (1.9) (p = 0.004), with no additional changes from 6 to 12 months 80.1 (1.9)–78.7 (1.9), (n.s.)]. Also, the mean (SE) VAS improved significantly from pre-operative 57.9 (2.6) to 30.0 (2.6) after 3 months (p < 0.001), and from 30.0 (2.6) to 22.6 (2.6) (p = 0.017), after 6 months with no additional changes from 6 to 12 months 22.6 (2.6)–27.9 (2.6), (n.s.)].

Conclusions

Improvements in function (mHHS) and pain (VAS) were seen in patients after hip arthroscopy with labral repair for FAI at 3, 6, and 12 months. While significant improvements occurred from 3 to 6 months, no further improvements were seen from 6 to 12 months.

Level of evidence

Prospective case series, Level IV.