Competitive Athletes with Femoroacetabular Impingement and Painful Internal Snapping Treated Arthroscopically with Intrabursal Iliopsoas Fractional Lengthening: High Rate of Return to Sport and Favorable Midterm Functional Outcomes

Competitive Athletes with Femoroacetabular Impingement and Painful Internal Snapping Treated Arthroscopically with Intrabursal Iliopsoas Fractional Lengthening: High Rate of Return to Sport and Favorable Midterm Functional Outcomes

Authors

Jimenez AE, George T, Lee MS, Owens JS, Maldonado DR, Paraschos OA, Lall AC, Domb BG

Journal

Am J Sports Med, May 2022

Background

Iliopsoas fractional lengthening (IFL) is an effective treatment for painful internal snapping in athletes with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). However, midterm outcomes have not been thoroughly studied.

Methods

• Data were reviewed for athletes who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAIS and intra-bursal IFL between 2010 and 2013.
• PROs and return-to-sport (RTS) rates were analyzed at a minimum 5-year follow-up.
• A propensity-matched control group of athletes without internal snapping was used for comparison.

Key Findings

• 89.5% of athletes in the IFL group returned to sport.
• Significant improvements in PROs were observed in the IFL group at 5 years post-surgery (P < .001).
• When compared to the control group, the IFL group demonstrated similar improvements in PROs and RTS rates.

Conclusions

Athletes undergoing hip arthroscopy with intra-bursal IFL for painful internal snapping in the context of FAIS showed favorable midterm outcomes and high rates of return to sport.

What Does This Mean For Patients

If you're an athlete dealing with internal snapping and FAIS, hip arthroscopy with IFL could provide significant relief and help you return to sport at high levels.