Comparing Midterm Outcomes of High-Level Athletes Versus Nonathletes Undergoing Primary Hip Arthroscopy: A Propensity-Matched Comparison With Minimum 5-Year Follow-up
Authors
Jimenez AE, Monahan PF, Maldonado DR, Saks BR, Ankem HK, Sabetian PW, Lall AC, Domb BG
Background
- High-level athletes (HLAs) often have better short-term outcomes after hip arthroscopy than nonathletes (NAs), but midterm comparisons between these two groups were lacking. This study compares their outcomes 5 years after surgery.
Methods
- Data were collected for high-level athletes and nonathletes who underwent hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). The study evaluated postoperative outcomes, including pain relief, hip function, and return to sport, with a focus on a 5-year follow-up.
Key Findings
- Both high-level athletes and nonathletes showed significant improvement in hip function and pain relief.
- High-level athletes returned to sports at a high rate (80.4%) and had higher rates of achieving the patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) for the sports-specific subscale (HOS-SSS).
- Both groups had similar rates of revision surgery, indicating comparable long-term success.
Conclusions
- High-level athletes and nonathletes achieve similar long-term outcomes after hip arthroscopy, though athletes tend to achieve higher sports-specific outcomes.
What Does This Mean for Patients
- If you're an athlete or a nonathlete, hip arthroscopy can help improve your hip function and pain relief in the long term. Athletes may have a slight advantage in sports-specific outcomes, but overall, both groups experience significant improvement.