Five-Year Outcomes and Return to Sport of Runners Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy for Labral Tears With or Without Femoroacetabular Impingement

Five-Year Outcomes and Return to Sport of Runners Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy for Labral Tears With or Without Femoroacetabular Impingement

Authors

Chen AW, Craig MJ, Yuen LC, Ortiz-Declet V, Maldonado DR, Domb BG
DOI: 10.1177/0363546519836429

Background

Many runners experience hip pain due to labral tears or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). While short-term recovery outcomes are known, midterm results and the likelihood of returning to running are less clear.

Methods

The study tracked 60 runners who underwent hip arthroscopy for labral tears and/or FAI. The participants’ hip function was assessed before surgery and at a minimum of five years post-surgery using various hip scores.

Key Findings

At the 5-year follow-up, 78% of patients had successfully returned to running. Significant improvements in hip function were observed across all outcome measures, including pain levels.

Conclusions

Hip arthroscopy for labral tears and FAI provides significant functional improvement for runners, with a high return-to-sport rate at midterm follow-up. Patients should be informed about the realistic chances of returning to running and the risks involved.

What Does This Mean for Patients

If you are a runner experiencing hip pain due to labral tears or FAI, hip arthroscopy could improve your chances of returning to running with reduced pain. Your doctor will help guide you through the risks and benefits of surgery for your specific case.