A clinical observational study on patient-reported outcomes, hip functional performance and return to sports activities in hip arthroscopy patients

Abstract

Objectives: To describe data of short- and midterm results of hip arthroscopy patients based on patient-reported hip function, hip functional performance and return to sports activities.

Design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Sports medical center.

Participants: 37 recreational athletes (21 men) at least six months after finishing rehabilitation for hip arthroscopy.

Main outcome measures: International Hip Outcome Tool 33 (IHOT-33), Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Global Perceived Effect Scale (GPE), sports questionnaires and hip functional performance tests.

Results: At a mean follow-up time of 2.3 years, 81% of participants reported improvement on the GPE and 84% returned to sports activities. The mean IHOT-33 score was 69.3; the mean VAS score was 35.0. Range of motion (ROM) and strength were within the 90% Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) limit, except for hip internal rotation ROM. A full recovery of hip functional performance, as measured with balance and hop tests, was established based on the 90% LSI limit.

Conclusions: The overall short- and midterm results of these follow-up data show good recovery of hip arthroscopy patients on patient-reported outcomes, functional performance and return to sports activities. The functional performance tests used in this study seem adequate for measuring recovery in hip arthroscopy patients.

Keywords: Clinical outcomes; Functional performance; Hip arthroscopy.