'Workers' Compensation Patients Improved After Hip Arthroscopy for Labral Tears: A 5-Year Outcome Propensity Score-Matched Study
Authors
Sabetian PW, Monahan PF, Fox JD, Jimenez AE, Maldonado DR, Saks BR, Ankem HK, Lall AC, Domb BG
Journal
Am J Sports Med, April 2022
Background
Workers' compensation (WC) patients often show poorer outcomes in orthopedic procedures, and WC status is typically excluded from outcome studies. This study focuses on the outcomes of WC patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for labral tears.
Methods
- Patients with WC claims undergoing primary hip arthroscopy for labral tears were matched with a control group without WC claims.
- Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as mHHS, NAHS, HOS-SSS, and VAS were assessed at a minimum of 5 years post-surgery.
- Rates of achieving MCID and MOI were compared between groups.
Key Findings
- WC patients showed significant improvement in PROs (P < .05).
- Despite having lower pre- and postoperative PROs compared to the control group, WC patients had a greater magnitude of improvement.
- The rates of future surgery (revision or THA) were similar for both groups.
- WC patients returned to work at a rate of 66%, with an average of 9.5 months to heavy-duty work.
Conclusions
Hip arthroscopy can significantly improve outcomes for WC patients with labral tears, with high rates of improvement and return to work, though they may have lower baseline scores compared to non-WC patients.
What Does This Mean For Patients
If you are a WC patient with a labral tear, hip arthroscopy may offer a viable treatment option, leading to significant improvement in hip function and a high likelihood of returning to work.