Return to Sports and Minimum 2-Year Outcomes of Hip Arthroscopy in Elite Athletes With and Without Coexisting Low Back Pain: A Propensity-Matched Comparison
Authors
Jimenez AE, Owens JS, Monahan PF, Maldonado DR, Saks BR, Sabetian PW, Ankem HK, Lall AC, Domb BG
Background
- Elite athletes with low back pain (LBP) undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) may have different outcomes compared to those without LBP.
- This study compares the outcomes of athletes with and without coexisting LBP after hip arthroscopy.
Methods
- The study followed elite athletes (professional and collegiate) with LBP who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAIS and compared them to athletes without LBP.
- Data on patient-reported outcomes (PROs), return-to-sport (RTS) rates, and improvement in hip symptoms were collected.
Key Findings
- Athletes with LBP showed significant improvements in PROs and similar return-to-sport rates (75.8%) as those without LBP.
- Most athletes with LBP (79%) had no back pain postoperatively.
Conclusions
- Hip arthroscopy can lead to favorable outcomes for elite athletes with coexisting low back pain, with high rates of recovery and return to sport.
What Does This Mean for Patients
- If you're an elite athlete with both hip and low back pain, successful hip surgery can improve both your hip function and potentially alleviate back pain, enabling you to return to sport effectively.