Dancers Show Significant Improvement in Outcomes and Favorable Return-to-Dance Rates After Primary Hip Arthroscopy With Femoral Head Cartilage Status Being a Predictor of Secondary Surgical Procedures at Mid-Term Follow-Up

Dancers Show Significant Improvement in Outcomes and Favorable Return-to-Dance Rates After Primary Hip Arthroscopy With Femoral Head Cartilage Status Being a Predictor of Secondary Surgical Procedures at Mid-Term Follow-Up

Authors

Maldonado DR, Lee MS, Saeed SK, Bruning RE, Curley AJ, Domb BG

Journal

Arthroscopy, March 2024

Objective

To assess the long-term outcomes of primary hip arthroscopy in dancers, including return-to-dance rates and predictors for secondary surgeries.

Key Findings

• Significant improvements were reported in pain levels and hip function, with most dancers showing clinically meaningful recovery.
• 78.6% of dancers returned to dance, with 57.6% returning to their pre-injury performance level or higher.
• Femoral head cartilage damage was a key predictor of the need for further surgery.

Conclusion

Dancers can expect significant recovery after hip arthroscopy, but the condition of the femoral head cartilage is crucial in determining long-term success and the need for further surgery.

What Does This Mean For Patients

If you're a dancer considering hip arthroscopy, this study shows that recovery can be excellent, but the health of your femoral head cartilage will influence your chances of needing further surgery down the line.