Knee and hip dynamic muscle strength in individuals with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome scheduled for hip arthroscopy: A case-control study

Abstract

Background The primary aim of this study was to compare knee and hip dynamic muscle strength of individuals with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome scheduled for hip arthroscopy with healthy controls. Our secondary aim was to compare hip and knee muscle strength between male and female patients with FAI syndrome. Methods One hundred and thirty-four individuals with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome scheduled for hip arthroscopy and 134 healthy controls matched for sex and age (within 5 years range) underwent an isokinetic assessment of knee extension and flexion and hip abduction, adduction, external rotation and internal rotation dynamic muscle strength. Two MANOVAs were conducted to compare isokinetic peak torque and total work between groups and sexes. Findings Individuals with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome demonstrated lower values of all variables representing knee and hip isokinetic peak torque and total work measures when compared to healthy controls, with differences ranging from 0.09 Nm/kg (95%CI: 0.06-0.12 Nm/kg) to 0.64 Nm/kg (95%CI: 0.49-0.79 Nm/kg). Female participants from both FAI syndrome and control group showed less knee and hip muscle strength compared to male participants. There was no significant interaction between group and sex regarding knee or hip isokinetic peak torque and total work (p > 0.05). Interpretation Individuals with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome scheduled for hip arthroscopy present impairments in knee or hip dynamic muscle strength when compared to controls. Female participants present less knee and hip muscular strength compared to male participants, these between-sex differences are similar for both FAI syndrome and control group participants.

Keywords: Dynamic strength; FAI; Hip pain; Hip rehabilitation; Hip surgery; Isokinetic.