Association of Changes in Hip and Knee Kinematics During a Single-Leg Squat With Changes in Patient-Reported Outcomes at 6 Months and 1 Year After Hip Arthroscopy

Abstract

Background:

Previous studies have demonstrated alterations in squat kinematics in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). Little is known about the effects of arthroscopic hip surgery on biomechanics during a single-leg squat (SLS) in these patients.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to determine if (1) lower extremity dynamic range of motion (ROM) during an SLS task improves after hip arthroscopy for FAIS and (2) correlations exist between changes in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and changes in lower extremity dynamic ROM during an SLS after hip arthroscopy for FAIS. It was hypothesized that dynamic hip ROM would improve after hip arthroscopy and that hip dynamic ROM would be associated with changes in PRO scores at both 6 months and 1 year.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

Patients with FAIS performed 3 SLSs that were analyzed using a 20-camera motion capture system. Dynamic ROMs were calculated in 3 planes for the hip, knee, ankle, and pelvic segments. Squat depth was calculated as the change in vertical center of mass during the squat cycle. PROs including the Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), Hip Outcome Score–Sports (HOS–Sports), International Hip Outcome Tool–12, and visual analog scale for pain scores were collected preoperatively and at the time of postoperative testing. Paired-samples t tests were used to compare kinematic variables pre- and postoperatively. Correlations were used to compare changes in PROs with changes in kinematics. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 26.

Results:

Fifteen patients were tested preoperatively and at a mean of 9 months postoperatively. All PRO measures improved postoperatively at 6 months and 1 year. Squat depth and sagittal plane hip and knee dynamic ROMs were significantly improved postoperatively. Positive correlations existed between changes in (1) hip ROM with the 6-month HOS-ADL score (r = 0.665) and (2) knee ROM with the 6 month (r = 0.590) and 1-year (r = 0.565) HOS–Sports scores.

Conclusion:

Dynamic sagittal plane hip and knee ROMs improve after hip arthroscopy for FAIS. These improvements demonstrate strong correlations with improvements in some but not all postoperative PROs.

Clinical Relevance:

The current study sought to better understand the role of dynamic movement in the diagnosis and treatment of FAIS. These findings indicate that dynamic ROM and squat depth can, similarly to PROs, serve as biomarkers for patient function both before and after hip arthroscopic surgery.