2015 ISAKOS Biennial Congress Paper #0

How Long Do Patients Take To Regain Their Baseline Strength Following Arthroscopic Treatment For Femoroacetabular Impingement?

Sarah Remedios, Halifax, Nova Scotia CANADA
Ivan Wong, MD, FRCSC, MACM, Dip. Sports Med, Halifax, NS CANADA

Dalhousie University & Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA

FDA Status Not Applicable

Summary: : Treatment of FAI with hip arthroscopy requires post-operative rehabilitation. Most patients can expect to return to their baseline strength levels by one year post-operatively following diligent rehabilitation as guided by a physiotherapist

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Abstract:

Objective

It has been well-established that arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) yields favourable outcomes compared to conservative treatment. Most patients follow a rigorous post-operative rehabilitation protocol following surgery, however it is unclear how long it takes for patients to regain their strength or exceed their baseline strength post-operatively. The objective of our study was to assess post-operative improvements in strength in patients who received arthroscopic treatment of FAI.

Methods

Patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAI between 2019 and 2021 with a minimum clinicoradiological follow-up of one year were included. Primary outcomes included strength measurements (flexion, extension, abduction, and internal/external rotation) as measured using a handheld dynamometer pre-operatively and at regular intervals post-operatively until the one-year post-operative time point. Secondary outcomes included International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-33) scores.

Results

Fifty patients were evaluated with a mean age of 38.2±16.4 years at the time of the surgery. The mean duration of follow-up was 1.58±0.41 years. At the 6-month follow-up, 58% of met baseline flexion strength and 92% of patients met baseline extension strength measures. Only 58% of patients met baseline strength with internal/external rotation. By the one year mark, over 70% of patients met baseline strength measures for flexion, extension, and internal and external rotation. Interestingly, only 57% of patients met baseline strength for abduction. All patients improved post-operatively with respect to their iHOT-33 scores (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Treatment of FAI with hip arthroscopy requires post-operative rehabilitation. Most patients can expect to return to their baseline strength levels by one year post-operatively following diligent rehabilitation as guided by a physiotherapist. Abduction strength is the slowest strength outcome to return to baseline and rehabilitation programs may need to be tailored accordingly.