Introduction: The restoration of range of motion after surgery in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome is considered an important factor that improves clinical outcomes and determines the quality of life of patients, especially in the Asian population.
Methods: Arthroscopic femoroplasty was done in 109 Asian patients with cam impingement. The patients were retrospectively evaluated using range of motion and clinical outcomes (Harris Hip Score [HHS], visual analog scale score, Hip Outcome Score-Activity of Daily Living, and Hip Outcome Score-Sports subscales) between preoperative and postoperative conditions, with a follow-up period of >2 years.
Results: The increments of hip motion were an internal rotation of 10.1° (P < 0.05) at 3 postoperative months and an external rotation of 11.8° (P < 0.05) at approximately 6 postoperative months; both were maintained at 2 postoperative years. Mean clinical outcomes improved from 69.1 to 82.1 for HHS, from 6.0 to 2.1 for the visual analog scale score, and from 40.1 to 68.7 for the Hip Outcome Score-Sports Subscale at 6 postoperative months (P < 0.05) and were maintained at 2 years. Younger subjects (<45 years of age) displayed even greater improvements in the HHS and Hip Outcome Score-Activity of Daily Living/Sports Subscale than the other group (≥45 years of age) (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Patients who underwent arthroscopic femoroplasty showed improvements in internal rotation at 3 months postoperatively and external rotation at approximately 6 months postoperatively. In addition, younger age (<45 years and the restoration of rotational hip motion resulted in better clinical outcomes.
Level of evidence: III a.