High Body Mass Index Does Not Adversely Affect Outcomes in High-Level Athletes Undergoing Primary Hip Arthroscopy: A Propensity-Matched Comparison With Minimum 2-Year Follow-up
Authors
Jimenez AE, Fox JD, Monahan PF, Lee MS, George T, Maldonado DR, Saks BR, Lall AC, Domb BG
Background
- The effect of high body mass index (BMI) on outcomes after hip arthroscopy in athletes is unclear.
- This study aims to evaluate whether high BMI negatively impacts recovery and return to sports after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS).
Methods
- The study compared outcomes between high-level athletes with a BMI over 30 and those with a normal BMI who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAIS between 2010 and 2018.
- Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and return-to-sport (RTS) rates were assessed after at least two years.
Key Findings
- Athletes with high BMI showed significant improvements in PROs (mHHS, NAHS, and HOS-SSS) after surgery, similar to athletes with normal BMI.
- Although high-BMI athletes had worse cartilage injury and were more likely to undergo additional procedures, their outcomes in terms of achieving clinically meaningful improvement were similar to those of normal-BMI athletes.
Conclusions
- High BMI did not adversely affect short-term outcomes for high-level athletes undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS.
- Athletes with high BMI achieved similar levels of recovery and return to sport as those with normal BMI.
What Does This Mean for Patients
- If you're an athlete with a high BMI, you can expect similar recovery and return-to-sport outcomes as athletes with a normal BMI after hip arthroscopy for FAIS.