Midterm Outcomes of Arthroscopic Treatment for Concomitant Painful External Hip Snapping and Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: A Minimum 5-Year Follow-up Study
Authors
Quesada-Jimenez R, Sikligar D, Schab AR, Kahana-Rojkind AH, Domb BG.
Background
Some patients with hip impingement also experience painful “snapping” on the outside of the hip, caused by tight soft tissues moving over the bone. This can occur along with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).
Methods
This study followed patients who had hip arthroscopy to treat both hip impingement and external snapping hip. Their outcomes were compared to similar patients who only had hip impingement surgery.
Key Findings
Most patients experienced significant improvement in pain and hip function. About 98% of patients had complete relief of the snapping sensation. No patients needed another surgery because the snapping returned. Outcomes were just as good as patients who did not have snapping hip. Satisfaction and recovery rates were similar between both groups.
Conclusion
Treating both hip impingement and external snapping hip at the same time leads to excellent and lasting results.
What Does This Mean For Patients
If you have both hip impingement and painful snapping on the outside of your hip, treating both problems during surgery can still lead to very good outcomes. Most patients experience complete relief of the snapping and strong long-term improvement.