Survivorship Rate and Clinical Outcomes 10 Years After Arthroscopic Correction of Symptomatic Femoroacetabular Impingement

Abstract

Background:

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common mechanical hip condition, prevalent in both the athletic and the general population. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment option that improves both symptoms and function in short- to medium-term follow-up. Few studies within the literature have reported the longer-term success of arthroscopic surgery.

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to quantify the 10-year survivorship and clinical outcome for patients treated arthroscopically for symptomatic FAI.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Patients from our hip registry (n = 119) completed patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at a minimum of 10 years after arthroscopy (range, 10-12 years). Results were compared with baseline scores using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The associations among several prognostic factors, which included age, sex, Tönnis grade, and labral treatment, and subsequent conversion to total hip replacement (THR) or repeat hip arthroscopy (RHA) were analyzed using the chi-square analysis. Relationships between range of motion and radiological findings with clinical outcome were also examined using Pearson correlation analysis. Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was calculated using a distribution method (0.5 standard deviation of the change score), and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) was determined using an anchor method. Finally, receiver operating characteristic curves with subsequent Youden index were used to determine cutoffs for PROMs, which equated to a Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS).

Results:

A total of 8.4% of cases required conversion to THR, and 5.9% required RHA. Statistically significant improvements in mHHS, SF-36, and WOMAC scores, with high satisfaction (90%), were observed 10 years after surgery. No significant change was seen in activity level (UCLA score) despite patients being 10 years older. A high percentage of patients achieved MCID for mHHS (88%), SF-36 (84%), and WOMAC (60%). The majority of patients also achieved PASS (62% for mHHS, 85% for UCLA, 78% for SF-36, and 84% for WOMAC) and SCB (74% for mHHS, 58% for UCLA, 52% for SF-36, and 56% for WOMAC).

Conclusion:

Arthroscopic intervention is a safe and viable treatment option for patients with symptomatic FAI, and patients can expect long-term improvements and high satisfaction. Results indicated a high satisfaction (90%) and survivorship rate (91.6%), with excellent clinical outcome, 10 years after the initial procedure.