Effects of Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome on Quality of Life and Economic Outcomes

Variation in the Cost of Hip Arthroscopy for Labral Pathological Conditions: A Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing Analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite growing interest in delivering high-value orthopaedic care, the costs associated with hip arthroscopy remain poorly understood. By employing time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC), we aimed to characterize the cost composition of hip arthroscopy for labral pathological conditions and to identify factors that drive variation in cost.

METHODS

Using TDABC, we measured the costs of 890 outpatient hip arthroscopy procedures for labral pathological conditions across 5 surgeons at 4 surgery centers from 2015 to 2022. All patients were ≥18 years old and were treated by surgeons who each performed ≥20 surgeries during the study period. Costs were normalized to protect the confidentiality of internal hospital cost data. Descriptive analyses and multivariable linear regression were performed to identify factors underlying cost variation.

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 515 women (57.9%) and 375 men (42.1%), with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 37.1 ± 12.7 years. Most of the procedures were performed in patients who were White (90.6%) or not Hispanic (93.4%). The normalized total cost of hip arthroscopy per procedure ranged from 43.4 to 203.7 (mean, 100 ± 24.2). Of the 3 phases of the care cycle, the intraoperative phase was identified as the largest generator of cost (>90%). On average, supply costs accounted for 48.8% of total costs, whereas labor costs accounted for 51.2%. A 2.5-fold variation between the 10th and 90th percentiles for total cost was attributed to supplies, which was greater than the 1.8-fold variation attributed to labor. Variation in total costs was most effectively explained by the labral management method (partial R2 = 0.332), operating surgeon (partial R2 = 0.326), osteoplasty type (partial R2 = 0.087), and surgery center (partial R2 = 0.086). Male gender (p < 0.001) and younger age (p = 0.032) were also associated with significantly increased costs. Finally, data trends revealed a shift toward labral preservation techniques over debridement during the study period (with the rate of such techniques increasing from 77.8% to 93.2%; Ptrend = 0.0039) and a strong correlation between later operative year and increased supply costs, labor costs, and operative time (p < 0.001 for each).

CONCLUSIONS

By applying TDABC to outpatient hip arthroscopy, we identified wide patient-to-patient cost variation that was most effectively explained by the method of labral management, the operating surgeon, the osteoplasty type, and the surgery center. Given current procedural coding trends, declining reimbursements, and rising health-care costs, these insights may enable stakeholders to design bundled payment structures that better align reimbursements with costs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Economic and Decision Analysis Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Evaluating the Need for Preoperative MRI Before Primary Hip Arthroscopy in Patients 40 Years and Younger With Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: A Multicenter Comparative Analysis

Background

Routine hip magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before arthroscopy for patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) offers questionable clinical benefit, delays surgery, and wastes resources.

Purpose

To assess the clinical utility of preoperative hip MRI for patients aged ≤40 years who were undergoing primary hip arthroscopy and who had a history, physical examination findings, and radiographs concordant with FAIS.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Included were 1391 patients (mean age, 25.8 years; 63% female; mean body mass index, 25.6) who underwent hip arthroscopy between August 2015 and December 2021 by 1 of 4 fellowship-trained hip surgeons from 4 referral centers. Inclusion criteria were FAIS, primary surgery, and age ≤40 years. Exclusion criteria were MRI contraindication, reattempt of nonoperative management, and concomitant periacetabular osteotomy. Patients were stratified into those who were evaluated with preoperative MRI versus those without MRI. Those without MRI received an MRI before surgery without deviation from the established surgical plan. All preoperative MRI scans were compared with the office evaluation and intraoperative findings to assess agreement. Time from office to arthroscopy and/or MRI was recorded. MRI costs were calculated.

Results

Of the study patients, 322 were not evaluated with MRI and 1069 were. MRI did not alter surgical or interoperative plans. Both groups had MRI findings demonstrating anterosuperior labral tears treated intraoperatively (99.8% repair, 0.2% debridement, and 0% reconstruction). Compared with patients who were evaluated with MRI and waited 63.0 ± 34.6 days, patients who were not evaluated with MRI underwent surgery 6.5 ± 18.7 days after preoperative MRI. MRI delayed surgery by 24.0 ± 5.3 days and cost a mean $2262 per patient.

Conclusion

Preoperative MRI did not alter indications for primary hip arthroscopy in patients aged ≤40 years with a history, physical examination findings, and radiographs concordant with FAIS. Rather, MRI delayed surgery and wasted resources. Routine hip MRI acquisition for the younger population with primary FAIS with a typical presentation should be challenged.

Harms Reporting Is Inadequate in Systematic Reviews Regarding Hip Arthroscopy

Purpose

To investigate the quality of harms reporting in systematic reviews (SRs) regarding hip arthroscopy in the current literature.

Methods

In May 2022, an extensive search of 4 major databases was performed identifying SRs regarding hip arthroscopy: MEDLINE (PubMed and Ovid), EMBASE, Epistemonikos, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted, in which investigators performed screening and data extraction of the included studies in a masked, duplicate fashion. AMSTAR-2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews-2) was used to assess the methodologic quality and bias of the included studies. The corrected covered area was calculated for SR dyads.

Results

A total of 82 SRs were included in our study for data extraction. Of these SRs, 37 reported under 50% of the harms criteria (37 of 82, 45.1%) and 9 did not report harms at all (9 of 82, 10.9%). A significant relation was found between completeness of harms reporting and overall AMSTAR appraisal (P = .0261), as well as whether a harm was listed as a primary or secondary outcome (P = .0001). Eight SR dyads had corrected covered areas of 50% or greater and were compared for shared harms reported.

Conclusions

In this study, we found inadequate harms reporting in most SRs concerning hip arthroscopy.

Clinical Relevance

With the magnitude of hip arthroscopic procedures being performed, adequate reporting of harms-related information in the research surrounding this treatment is essential in assessing the efficacy of the treatment. This study provides data in relation to harms reporting in SRs regarding hip arthroscopy.

Gluteal activation during squatting reduces acetabular contact pressure in persons with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: A patient-specific finite element analysis

BACKGROUND

Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome is a motion-related clinical disorder resulting from abnormal hip joint morphology. Mechanical impingement, in which the aspherical femoral head (cam morphology) abuts with the acetabular rim, is created with simultaneous hip flexion, internal rotation, and adduction. Impaired function of the gluteal muscles may be contributory to femoroacetabular impingement syndrome progression. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of gluteal muscle recruitment on acetabular contact pressure during squatting in persons with cam femoroacetabular impingement syndrome.

METHODS

Eight individuals (4 males, 4 females) with a diagnosis of cam femoroacetabular impingement syndrome underwent CT imaging of the pelvis and proximal femora, and a biomechanical assessment of squatting (kinematics, kinetics, and electromyography). Two maximal depth bodyweight squat conditions were evaluated: 1) non-cued squatting; and 2) cued gluteal activation squatting. Utilizing subject-specific electromyography-driven hip and finite element modeling approaches, hip muscle activation, kinematics, bone-on-bone contact forces, and peak acetabular contact pressure were compared between squat conditions.

FINDINGS

Modest increases in gluteus maximus (7% MVIC, P < 0.0001) and medius (6% MVIC, P = 0.009) activation were able to reduce hip internal rotation on average 5° (P = 0.024), and in doing so reduced acetabular contact pressure by 32% (P = 0.023). Reductions in acetabular contact pressure occurred despite no change in hip abduction and increased bone-on-bone contact forces occurring in the cued gluteal activation condition.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings highlight the importance of gluteal activation in minimizing mechanical impingement and provide a foundation for interventions aimed at preventing the development and progression of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome.

Extent of Cam Resection Relative to Epiphyseal Line and Its Association With Clinical Outcomes After Arthroscopic Treatment for Femoroacetabular Syndrome

Background:

Inadequate resection of cam lesions can cause inferior outcomes after hip arthroscopy and result in revision surgery for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS).

Purpose:

To evaluate the association between postoperative cam lesions measured using the proximal boundaries of resection area (PBRE) relative to the epiphyseal line and 2-year outcomes after hip arthroscopy.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Included were patients with FAIS who had undergone primary hip arthroscopy between 2016 and 2018. The PBRE was calculated by measuring the linear distance from the PBRE to the epiphyseal line, dividing it by the diameter of the femoral head, and multiplying by 100; PBRE measurements were made at the 12-, 1-, and 2-o’clock positions on postoperative hip computed tomography. Within each clockface position, patients were divided into subgroups depending on whether their postoperative PBRE was greater than a half standard deviation above the mean (adequate resection) or less than or equal to a half standard deviation above the mean (inadequate resection). Patient-reported outcomes (PROs; Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living [HOS-ADL], International Hip Outcome Tool–Short Form [iHOT-12], modified Harris Hip Score [mHHS], and pain visual analog scale [VAS]) and rates of achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and patient-acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) were compared among the subgroups.

Results:

Included were 80 pairs of hips at 12 o’clock, 81 pairs of hips at 1 o’clock, and 80 pairs of hips at 2 o’clock. All subgroups demonstrated significant improvements in PRO scores at a minimum 2-year follow-up compared with preoperatively. At the 12-o’clock position, the subgroup with adequate resection had significantly superior HOS-ADL ( P = .004), iHOT-12 ( P < .001), and mHHS ( P < .001) scores and were more likely to achieve the MCID for the iHOT-12 score ( P = .035) and the PASS for the HOS-ADL ( P = .003), iHOT-12 ( P = .007), and mHHS ( P < .001) scores compared with the matched subgroup. There were no significant differences in PRO scores or rates of MCID and PASS for the 1- or 2-o’clock groups.

Conclusion:

The epiphyseal line may be a useful and reproducible landmark measurement for cam-type deformity. Patients considered to have inadequate resection at 12 o’clock had lower outcome scores at a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Duration of Care and Operative Time Are the Primary Drivers of Total Charges After Ambulatory Hip Arthroscopy: A Machine Learning Analysis

PURPOSE

To develop a machine learning algorithm to predict total charges after ambulatory hip arthroscopy and create a risk-adjusted payment model based on patient comorbidities.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the New York State Ambulatory Surgery and Services database was performed to identify patients who underwent elective hip arthroscopy between 2015 and 2016. Features included in initial models consisted of patient characteristics, medical comorbidities, and procedure-specific variables. Models were generated to predict total charges using 5 algorithms. Model performance was assessed by the root-mean-square error, root-mean-square logarithmic error, and coefficient of determination. Global variable importance and partial dependence curves were constructed to show the impact of each input feature on total charges. For performance benchmarking, the best candidate model was compared with a multivariate linear regression using the same input features.

RESULTS

A total of 5,121 patients were included. The median cost after hip arthroscopy was $19,720 (interquartile range, $12,399-$26,439). The gradient-boosted ensemble model showed the best performance (root-mean-square error, $3,800 [95% confidence interval, $3,700-$3,900]; logarithmic root-mean-square error, 0.249 [95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.26]; R² = 0.73). Major cost drivers included total hours in facility less than 12 or more than 15, longer procedure time, performance of a labral repair, age younger than 30 years, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI) of 1 or greater, African American race, residence in extreme urban and rural areas, and higher household and neighborhood income.

CONCLUSIONS

The gradient-boosted ensemble model effectively predicted total charges after hip arthroscopy. Few modifiable variables were identified other than anesthesia type; nonmodifiable drivers of total charges included duration of care less than 12 hours or more than 15 hours, operating room time more than 100 minutes, age younger than 30 years, performance of a labral repair, and ECI greater than 0. Stratification of patients based on the ECI highlighted the increased financial risk borne by physicians via flat reimbursement schedules given variable degrees of comorbidities.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Editorial Commentary: Failure to Return to Sport, or Rather a Failure to Attempt a Return After Hip Arthroscopy Is Not Correlated With Poor Clinical Outcome: The Devil Is in the Details

While hip arthroscopy has been shown to be highly effective at improving pain and restoring function, postoperative outcome reporting remains heterogeneous, particularly as it relates to return to sport (RTS). Previous studies have identified significant variability in RTS rates, and often studies fail to accurately report on the population of patients who do not attempt RTS for reasons other than their hip. Despite failing to attempt an RTS, patients can still experience statistically significant, and clinically meaningful improvements in patient-reported outcome measures. Clinical results of those who do not RTS may be otherwise similar to results experienced by a group of high-level athletes who have successful RTS. Failure to attempt to RTS does not equate to a poor clinical outcome. To improve the clinical utility of future published RTS rates, better consensus on the means of evaluating and reporting on a patients' readiness for RTS are required. Additionally, comprehensive reporting should include identifying patients who do not RTS for reasons other than their hip.

Editorial Commentary: Hip Arthroscopy for Patients With Decreased Center-Edge Angle and Bipolar Cartilage Lesions Is Associated With Early Conversion to Total Hip Arthroplasty

The utilization of hip arthroscopy to treat femoroacetabular impingement has continued to grow year after year. Clinical studies and cost-effectiveness analyses have repeatedly shown the benefits of hip arthroscopy in improving quality of life, offering much promise to this patient population. Through years of research, a more comprehensive understanding of impingement pathologies has brought improving surgical techniques. However, predictors of poor outcomes are still not entirely understood. Although many patients attain significant relief, some patients do not attain meaningful improvement. Meaningful improvement can be found even years after hip arthroscopy, but this is a long road for patients who do not find sustained relief. Thus, as with defining appropriate indications for hip arthroscopy, it is equally important to identify factors that may instead suggest alternative treatment regimens for patients with hip pathology who may not benefit from arthroscopic intervention. However, rather than exclude large groups entirely based on the presence of certain factors such as increased age or arthritis, the goal should be to understand the nuances among patients in these higher-risk groups to identify those who may still find success with hip arthroscopy.

Evaluation of Differences Between Non-Hispanic White and African American Patients With Sports Medicine–Related Hip Disabilities

Background:

Racial disparities within the field of orthopaedics are well-documented in the spinal surgery, knee arthroplasty, and hip arthroplasty literature. Not much is known about racial differences in patients with sports medicine–related hip disabilities.

Purpose:

To investigate whether differences exist between African American and non-Hispanic White (White) patients evaluated for hip disabilities.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of 905 patients who were evaluated over a 1-year period for hip-related orthopaedic concerns. Patient demographic data, disability characteristics, and hip radiographic findings were obtained from electronic medical records. We also obtained data on whether patients were offered physical therapy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or surgery. Comparisons by race and insurance status were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results:

African Americans comprised a significantly lower proportion of the patients evaluated for hip-related disabilities compared with Whites (6.5% vs 93.5%; P < .001). A significantly smaller proportion of African Americans with hip disabilities was recommended for surgery than White patients (35.6% vs 54.6%; P = .007). Cam deformities were more common in White vs African American patients (39.7% vs 23.7%; P = .021), as were labral tears (54.1% vs 35.6%; P = .009). Logistic regression demonstrated that neither race nor insurance status were significant determinants in surgery recommendations. Conversely, race was a determinant of whether an MRI was performed, as White patients were 2.74 times more likely to have this procedure. There were no differences with respect to obtaining an MRI between private and Medicaid insurance.

Conclusion:

Compared with White patients, there were differences in both the proportion of African Americans evaluated for hip-related disabilities and the proportion receiving a surgery recommendation. African Americans with sports medicine–related hip issues were also less likely to obtain an MRI. With regard to observed pathology, African American patients were less likely to have cam deformities and labral tears than White patients.

Machine Learning Model Identifies Increased Operative Time and Greater BMI as Predictors for Overnight Admission After Outpatient Hip Arthroscopy

Purpose

The purposes of this study were to identify patient characteristics and risk factors for overnight admission following outpatient hip arthroscopy and to develop a machine learning algorithm that can effectively identify patients requiring admission following elective hip arthroscopy.

Methods

A retrospective review of a prospectively collected national surgical outcomes database was performed to identify patients who underwent elective outpatient hip arthroscopy from 2006 to 2018. Patients admitted overnight postoperatively were identified as those with length of stay of 1 or more days. Models were generated using random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), adaptive boosting (AdaBoost), elastic net penalized logistic regression, and an additional model was produced as a weighted ensemble of the four final algorithms.

Results

Overall, 1,276 patients were included. The median age was 43 years, and 64.2% (819) were female. Of the included patients, 109 (8.5%) required an overnight stay following elective outpatient hip arthroscopy. The most important factors for inpatient admission were increasing operative time, general anesthesia, age extremes, male gender, greater body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists classification >1, and the following preoperative lab values outside of normal ranges: sodium, platelet count, hematocrit, and leukocyte count. The ensemble model achieved the best performance based on discrimination assessed via internal validation (area under the curve = .71), calibration, and decision curve analysis. The model was integrated into a Web-based open-access application able to provide both personalized predictions and explanations.

Conclusion

A machine learning algorithm developed based on preoperative features identified increasing operative time, age extremes, greater BMI, sodium, hematocrit, platelets, and leukocyte count as the most important variables associated with inpatient admission with fair validity.

Improved Functional Outcome Scores Associated with Greater Reduction in Cam Height Using the Femoroacetabular Impingement Resection Arc During Hip Arthroscopy

PURPOSE

We sought to evaluate the association between postoperative cam lesion measured by the femoroacetabular impingement resection (FAIR) arc and show 2-year patient outcomes following hip arthroscopy.

METHODS

A retrospective review of prospectively gathered data from 2013-2017 was performed. All patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement resection (FAI) with ≥2-year follow-up were included. Cam FAIR arc measurements were made preoperatively and postoperatively on a 45° Dunn view radiograph. The clinical effect of postoperative cam maximal radial distance (MRD) was assessed using the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS). Patients were divided into subgroups based on relationship to the mean and standard deviations for cam MRD. One half standard deviation above the mean was found to be 3.15 mm.

RESULTS

Sixty-one hips in 59 consecutive patients (age 38.1 ± 13.1; body mass index [BMI]: 25.5 ± 4.3; 36 females) were included. Mean preoperative and postoperative cam maximal radial distances (MRD) were 4.5 ± 1.7 mm and 2.3 ± 1.7 mm (P < .001), respectively. The interclass correlation coefficient was excellent (>.9) for all measurements. There were no differences in age, sex, BMI or preoperative mHHS/NAHS between <3.15 mm and >3.15 mm cam MRD groups (P > .05). Using linear regression, cam MRD was found to be significantly associated with 2-year outcomes for both mHHS (R² = .21, P < .001) and NAHS (R² = .004). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that patients in the cam MRD < 3.15 mm group had significantly higher mHHS (89.7 vs 70.0, P < .001) and NAHS scores (90.5 vs 72.9, P < .001) than those in the >3.15 mm group. Additionally, more patients in the <3.15 mm group reached the minimal clinically important difference (95.2% vs 78.9%, P = .048) and were above patient acceptable symptomatic state (95.2% vs 52.6%, P < .001) compared to the >3.15 mm group.

CONCLUSION

Patients with a lower postoperative cam MRD relative to the FAIR arc demonstrated significantly improved outcomes as compared to those with higher postoperative MRD at two-year follow-up.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective case series.

Persistent post-operative opioid use following hip arthroscopy is common and is associated with pre-operative opioid use and age

PURPOSE

Hip arthroscopy utilization continues to increase worldwide. Post-operative pain management is essential to allow appropriate rehabilitation. While multimodal analgesic protocols have been described, consensus agreement is lacking and opioid analgesia remains a mainstay of treatment. Unfortunately, the risk of persistent opioid use among opioid-naïve and non-naïve patients following hip arthroscopy remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify rates of persistent post-operative opioid use, as well as to identify factors associated with persistent use.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using linked administrative data from Ontario, Canada. Participants were adults who underwent hip arthroscopy between 2013 and 2018. Patients < 18 or > 60 years of age as well as those who had undergone prior hip arthroscopy were excluded. The primary exposure was whether patients had filled ≥ 2 opioid prescriptions within 1 year prior to their hip arthroscopy to define the opioid naïve and non-naïve populations. The primary outcome was persistent opioid use, defined as 2 + prescriptions filled between 9 and 15 months post-op. A regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with persistent opioid usage.

RESULTS

Of the 1909 patients, 1525 (79.9%) were opioid-naïve, while 384 (20.1%) had a prior history of opioid use within 1 year of surgery. 224 patients (11.7%) demonstrated persistent opioid use, with ≥ 2 prescriptions filled between 9 and 15 months post-op. Of those, 42 (18.8%) cases were among opioid-naïve patients, while the remaining 182 (81.2%) were among non-naïve patients. The risk of persistent post-operative use was significantly higher in those with prior opioid use (OR 31.95, 95% CI 22.15-46.09; p < 0.0001). Regression analysis confirmed that pre-operative opioid use (OR 23.79, 95% CI 17.06-33.17; p < 0.0001) and older age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.05, p < 0.0001) were associated with increased risk of persistent post-operative opioid use.

CONCLUSION

Following hip arthroscopy, persistent opioid use is common. New persistent use was identified in 2.7% of opioid-naïve patients, compared with continued use in 47.4% of non-naïve patients. Pre-operative opioid use and older age were associated with the greater risk of persistent post-operative opioid use.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Editorial Commentary: An Optimal Classification System to Guide Prognosis and Treatment in Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: Now We're Speaking the Same Language

The optimal classification system in arthroscopic and related surgery research and clinical practice should be clinically relevant, descriptive, reproducible, simple, inexpensive, safe, and widely applicable. For the hip, classification systems that characterize intra-articular disorders like femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome, dysplasia, labral tears, and articular cartilage disease predominate the literature. Recently, awareness of peritrochanteric and other extra-articular disorders has increasingly led to greater recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of what has been historically known as "just bursitis". These disorders are far more complex and include greater trochanteric pain syndrome, the spectrum of gluteal tendon pathology, greater trochanteric bursitis, snapping iliotibial band (external coxa saltans), and greater trochanteric-ischial impingement. The utility of an intraoperative greater trochanteric pain syndrome classification system has now been proven using prospectively collected data, assimilating a decade-long eligibility period following open or endoscopic treatment of peritrochanteric disorders with a minimum two-year follow-up using validated patient-reported outcome scores. This classification guides prognosis and treatment, exactly as an optimal orthopedic classification system should do.

The Key Parts of Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: Implications for the Learning Curve

Background:

Hip arthroscopy is a rapidly growing surgical approach to treat femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome with a significant learning curve pertaining to complication risk, reoperation rate, and total hip arthroplasty conversion. Hip arthroscopy is more frequently being taught in residency and fellowship training. The key, or critical, parts of the technique have not yet been defined.

Purpose:

To identify the key components required to perform arthroscopic treatment of FAI syndrome.

Study Design:

Consensus statement.

Methods:

A 3-question survey comprising questions on hip arthroscopy for FAI was sent to a convenience sample of 101 high-volume arthroscopic hip surgeons in the United States. Surgeon career length (years) and maintenance volume (cases per year) were queried. Hip arthroscopy was divided into 10 steps using a Delphi technique to achieve a convergence of expert opinion. A step was considered “key” if it could (1) avoid complications, (2) reduce risk of revision arthroscopy, (3) reduce risk of total hip arthroplasty conversion, or (4) optimize patient-reported outcomes. Based on previous literature, steps with >90% of participants were defined as key. Descriptive and correlation statistics were calculated.

Results:

A total of 64 surgeons (63% response rate) reported 5.6 ± 2.1 steps as key (median, 6; range, 1-9). Most surgeons (56.3%) had been performing hip arthroscopy for >5 years. Most surgeons (71.9%) had performed >100 hip arthroscopy procedures per year. Labral treatment (97% agreement) and cam correction (91% agreement) were the 2 key steps of hip arthroscopy for FAI. Pincer/subspine correction (86% agreement), dynamic examination before capsular closure (63% agreement), and capsular management/closure (63% agreement) were selected by a majority of respondents but did not meet the study definition of key. There was no significant correlation between surgeon experience and designation of certain steps as key.

Conclusion:

Based on a Delphi technique and expert opinion survey of high-volume surgeons, labral treatment and cam correction are the 2 key parts of hip arthroscopy for FAI syndrome.

Femoroacetabular impingement surgery leads to early pain relief but minimal functional gains past 6 months: experience from the FIRST trial

PURPOSE

To understand the early outcomes after hip arthroscopy and better define the trajectory of improvement in a prospective cohort of patients who have undergone hip arthroscopic osteochondroplasty for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome.

METHODS

Data were analyzed from the Femoroacetabular Impingement RandomiSed controlled Trial (FIRST) on the 108 study patients who underwent osteochondroplasty, with or without labral repair. Study outcomes included patient-reported pain (using a 100-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)), hip function (using the Hip Outcome Score (HOS) and International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12)), and health-related quality of life (using the EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D)) measured at baseline, 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-operatively.

RESULTS

There was a decrease in mean post-operative pain VAS scores from baseline. The first 2 weeks post-operative yielded the greatest reduction in pain with a mean (SD) VAS score of 37.8 (23.4), with score stabilization between 6 months (26.9 (26.9)) and 12 months (25.3 (27.6)). Mean HOS (activities of daily living) scores improved from baseline (59.7 (16.2)) starting at 6 weeks post-operative (64.1 (19.1)). The HOS (Sports) showed no improvement from baseline (41.2 (20.4)) until 3 months (49.1 (27.9)), and continued to improve at 6 months (64.1 (28.7)) and 12 months (68.6 (30.5)). The iHOT-12 scores showed functional improvement from baseline (31.3 (18.8)), as early as 6 weeks (44.9 (22.4)) up to and including 12 months (67.1 (29.7)). EQ-5D index scores showed modest steady improvement from 6 weeks to 12 months post-operative, while the EQ-5D VAS component similarly showed modest and steady improvements from 3 months onward.

CONCLUSION

Results from this study highlight that hip arthroscopic osteochondroplasty with or without labral repair for FAI leads to early pain relief. While all scores improved from baseline, functional gains appear to plateau from 6 months onwards. These data can be used to inform decision-making about timelines for rehabilitation and return to sport, a knowledge gap in the current FAI literature.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Arthroscopic labral repair for femoroacetabular impingement: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The present systematic review investigated return to sport, patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), complications and subsequent progression to total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients undergoing arthroscopic labral repair for FAI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Following the PRISMA statement, the literature search was performed in February 2021. The outcomes of interest were: rate of return to sport, modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), the subscales Activities of Daily Living and Sport-Specific Subscale of the Hip Outcome Score (HOS-ADL and HOS-SSS, respectively). Complications, revision surgeries and progression to total hip arthroplasty were recorded.

RESULTS

Data from 210 procedures were retrieved. The mean follow-up was 34.0 (24.0-42.5) months. The mean age of the patients was 32.0 (20.0-47.0) years, while the mean BMI was 20.9 (20.1-21.7) kg/m². 52.8% (111 of 210 patients) were women. At 24-month follow-up, 100% of the patients had returned to sport. At a mean of 34 months follow-up, the mean mHHS increased by 25.5% (P = 0.02), the mean HOS-ADL by 23.0% (P = 0.03), the mean HOS-SSS by 32.8% (P = 0.001). No complications were observed. The rate of revision was 4.3% (9 of 210 procedures). At a mean of 37.9 ± 7.5 months, 1.9% of patients (4/210) underwent THA.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic labral refixation for FAI yields reliably positive clinical outcomes, with a low rate of revision and conversion to THA.

Outcomes of Hip Arthroscopy in Patients with Femoroacetabular Impingement and Concomitant Tönnis Grade II Osteoarthritis or Greater: Protocol for a Systematic Review

Introduction

Outcomes of hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement and concomitant moderate- to advanced hip osteoarthritis (Tönnis Grade II or greater) is still a matter of debate as findings in the literature are controversial. This study aims to investigate whether hip arthroscopy is effective in treating patients with femoroacetabular impingement and Tönnis hip osteoarthritis Grade II or greater.

Methods and Analysis

The protocol follows the PRISMA-P guidelines. The systematic review is registered in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PROSPERO) under the registration number: CRD42020210936. The search will include multiple databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection and Cochrane library. The screening and selection process will be performed by two independent researchers based on predefined criteria. All studies published in English or German from inception to 1^st of December 2020 that investigated outcomes of hip arthroscopy in patients with Tönnis grade II or greater of hip osteoarthritis will be considered eligible. The risk of bias and quality of articles will be assessed using the MINORS tool. Methodological inconsistency and heterogeneity will be explored using the I² test. This assessment will be used to provide recommendations using the GRADE system.

Ethics and Dissemination

Separate ethical approval is not required. This study will be a comprehensive and rigorous systematic review on all published articles reporting on outcomes of hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement and concomitant hip osteoarthritis Tönnis Grade II or greater. It will explore patient reported outcomes as well as radiological outcomes, complications, rates of revision surgery and rates of conversion to total hip replacement (THR). Results of the current review will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and disseminated on research platforms according to copyright rules and rights.

Highlights

Hip arthroscopy is used to treat femoroacetabular impingement and is effective in patients that have concomitant hip osteoarthritis Tönnis Grade 0 or 1.Outcomes of hip arthroscopy in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and in moderate to advanced osteoarthritis - Tönnis Grade 2 or greater, is a matter of debate.The purpose of the current systematic review is to elucidate, stratify and critical appraise the current evidence on outcomes in this patient subpopulation.

Cost-Effectiveness of Hip Arthroscopy for Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome and Labral Tears: A Systematic Review

Background:

Hip arthroscopy has frequently been shown to produce successful outcomes as a treatment for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and labral tears. However, there is less literature on whether the favorable results of hip arthroscopy can justify the costs, especially when compared with a nonoperative treatment.

Purpose:

To systematically review the cost-effectiveness of hip arthroscopy for treating FAI and labral tears.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases, and the Tufts University Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry were searched to identify articles that reported the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) generated by hip arthroscopy. The key terms used were “hip arthroscopy,” “cost,” “utility,” and “economic evaluation.” The threshold for cost-effectiveness was set at $50,000/QALY. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies instrument and Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) score were used to determine the quality of the studies. This study was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020172991).

Results:

Six studies that reported the cost-effectiveness of hip arthroscopy were identified, and 5 of these studies compared hip arthroscopy to a nonoperative comparator. These studies were found to have a mean QHES score of 85.2 and a mean cohort age that ranged from 33-37 years. From both a health care system perspective and a societal perspective, 4 studies reported that hip arthroscopy was more costly but resulted in far greater gains than did nonoperative treatment. The preferred treatment strategy was most sensitive to duration of benefit, preoperative osteoarthritis, cost of the arthroscopy, and the improvement in QALYs with hip arthroscopy.

Conclusion:

In the majority of the studies, hip arthroscopy had a higher initial cost but provided greater gain in QALYs than did a nonoperative treatment. In certain cases, hip arthroscopy can be cost-effective given a long enough duration of benefit and appropriate patient selection. However, there is further need for literature to analyze willingness-to-pay thresholds.

High Rate of Full Duty Return to Work After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome in Workers Who Are Not on Workers' Compensation

BACKGROUND

Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) is an increasingly common diagnosis among working-age adults. Hip arthroscopy provides reliable improvements in pain and may allow patients to return to physical activities. No study to date has evaluated return to work (RTW) among a general population of adults after arthroscopic surgery for FAIS.

PURPOSE

To evaluate (1) patients' rate of RTW, (2) time required to RTW, and (3) factors correlated with time required to RTW after arthroscopic surgery for symptomatic FAIS.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Consecutive patients aged 25 to 59 years who underwent arthroscopic surgery for FAIS between June 2018 and December 2018 were reviewed. Workers' compensation cases and patients with <1-year follow-up were excluded. The following were collected at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively: demographics, employment characteristics, Hip Outcome Score (HOS; Activities of Daily Living and Sports Specific subscales), modified Harris Hip Score, 12-Item International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12), visual analog scale for pain, and RTW characteristics. Work physical activity level was classified as sedentary, light, moderate, heavy, or very heavy per established criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 97 patients were selected through inclusion and exclusion criteria. RTW surveys were collected for 79 (81.4%), and 61 were employed preoperatively. Time worked per week was 42.8 ± 12.5 hours (mean ± SD). Patients' work level was most commonly classified as sedentary (42.6%), followed by moderate (24.6%). All 61 (100%) patients returned to work at a mean 7.3 weeks (range, <1-88 weeks) postoperatively. Sixty patients (95.2%) returned to full duty. Time required to full duty RTW was strongly correlated with expected time off from work (r = 0.900; P < .0001) and moderately correlated with work classification (r = 0.640; P = .0001). All patients had significant pre- to postoperative improvements in the HOS-Activities of Daily Living (64.8 ± 15.3 to 87.1 ± 12.2; P < .001), HOS-Sports Specific (42.8 ± 18.8 to 76.7 ± 16.5; P < .001), iHOT-12 (31.3 ± 18.8 to 69.3 ± 21.1; P < .001), modified Harris Hip Score (61.8 ± 12.1 to 80.3 ± 14.1; P < .001), and visual analog scale for pain (5.19 ± 2.11 to 2.40 ± 1.96; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing arthroscopic treatment for FAIS demonstrated a high rate of RTW at a mean of <2 months postoperatively. A patient's expected time off from work and the level of physical demands required for work were highly associated with time required to RTW. These results are valuable for orthopaedic surgeons, patients, and employers when establishing a timeline for expected RTW after surgery.

Femoroacetabular Impingement and Management of Labral Tears in the Athlete

Femoroacetabular impingement and associated labral tearing is a common source of hip pain in athletes. This article reviews the hip joint anatomy and complex interplay between alterations on the femoral and acetabular sides, in addition to evaluation of soft tissue stabilizers and spinopelvic parameters. Symptom management with a focus on arthroscopic treatment of abnormal bony morphology and labral repair or reconstruction is discussed. In select patients with persistent pain who have failed conservative measures, hip arthroscopy with correction of bony impingement and labral repair or reconstruction has yielded good to excellent results in recreational and professional athletes.

Less hip range of motion is associated with a greater alpha angle in people with longstanding hip and groin pain

PURPOSE

A higher alpha angle has been proposed to correlate with lower hip range of motion, but the association in people with longstanding hip and groin pain is currently unclear. The aims were to: (1) assess the association between range of motion and alpha angle in patients with longstanding hip and groin pain; (2) examine if a cut-off value in range of motion variables could identify patients with an alpha angle above or below 60°.

METHODS

Seventy-two participants were consecutively recruited from an orthopaedic department after referral for hip- and groin-related pain. Passive hip range of motion was measured in flexion, internal rotation with 90° hip flexion, internal rotation in neutral hip position, external rotation with 90° hip flexion, and abduction. The alpha angle was calculated from a frog-leg lateral radiograph. Linear regression examined the association between range of motion and alpha angle, and an ROC-curve analysis was performed to identify the sensitivity and specificity of range of motion cut-offs.

RESULTS

Lower range of motion in internal rotation in flexion, external rotation, and abduction were associated with higher alpha angle. Internal rotation of 27° or less displayed good sensitivity (81%) and specificity (85%) to detect an alpha angle above 60°, while a cut-off of 41° in external rotation and 27° in abduction showed a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 50% and 60%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Less internal rotation in flexion, external rotation, and abduction are associated with a greater alpha angle in a cohort of people with longstanding hip and groin pain. A cut-off of 27° in internal rotation has good sensitivity and specificity to identify people with an alpha angle above or below 60° and have the potential to be used in the clinical setting to identify patients that require further imaging, or that are unlikely to have cam morphology.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Immediate Versus Delayed Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement: An Expected Value Decision Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Hip arthroscopy is an increasingly used surgical procedure for both intra- and extra-articular hip pathologies, including femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Although the arthroscopic approach is known to be preferable to open, the optimal timing of such intervention is unclear. The purpose of this study was to carry out an expected value decision analysis of immediate versus delayed hip arthroscopy for FAI. Its hypothesis is immediate hip arthroscopy is the preferable treatment option.

METHODS

An expected value decision analysis was implemented to systematize the decision-making process between immediate and delayed hip arthroscopies. A decision tree was created with options for immediate and delayed surgeries with utilities characterizing each state obtained from surveying 70 patients. Fold-back analysis was then carried out, calculating expected values by multiplying the utility of each health outcome by the probability of that outcome. Corresponding expected values were then summed to "fold back" the decision tree one layer at a time. This was repeated until overall expected values (0 to 100) for immediate and delayed hip arthroscopies resulted with the higher value indicating the preferable option.

RESULTS

Fold-back analysis demonstrated that immediate hip arthroscopy is the preferred treatment for FAI over delayed with expected values of 78.27 and 72.63, respectively. Restoration of good function after hip arthroscopy was the most notable contributor to this difference. Immediate hip arthroscopy remained superior even as vast adjustments to preoperative physical function were made in one-way sensitivity analysis. Complications of hip arthroscopy leading to total hip arthroplasty were the least notable contributors to overall expected values.

DISCUSSION

This study confirms that immediate surgery is the preferred option when using decision-making analysis combining patient-reported utilities of health outcomes and the probabilities of those outcomes from the literature. This is consistent across a range of estimates of poor function in both the delayed and immediate surgery arms.

Preparation Methods and Clinical Outcomes of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Intra-articular Hip Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Background:

Despite its increasing use in the management of musculoskeletal conditions, questions remain regarding the preparation methods of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and its clinical applications for intra-articular hip disorders, including femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS), labral pathology, and osteoarthritis (OA).

Purpose:

To systematically review and assess the preparation methods and clinical outcomes from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the use of PRP for intra-articular hip disorders.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A systematic review in accordance with the 2009 PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines was performed in September 2019. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Ovid Medline, and Embase were queried for studies regarding the use of PRP to treat intra-articular hip disorders. Qualifying articles were English-language RCTs describing the use of PRP for intra-articular hip disorders, either as standalone treatment or surgical augmentation. Two authors independently assessed article eligibility. Data pertaining to patient characteristics, indication for treatment, PRP preparation method, follow-up period, and clinical outcomes were extracted. Study results were qualitatively reported and quantitatively compared using meta-analysis when appropriate.

Results:

Seven RCTs met inclusion criteria. Four studies described the use of PRP for hip OA and 3 utilized PRP at arthroscopy for FAIS and labral tears. Outcomes after PRP for OA demonstrated improvement in validated patient-reported outcome measures for up to 1 year; however, pooled effect sizes found no statistically significant difference between PRP and hyaluronic acid (HA) regarding pain visual analog scale scores at short-term (≤2 months; P = .27), midterm (4-6 months; P = .85), or long-term (1 year; P = .42) follow-up. When injected at arthroscopy, 1 study reported improved outcomes, 1 reported no difference in outcomes, and 1 reported worse outcomes compared with controls. The meta-analysis demonstrated no statistically significant difference on the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) between PRP and control cohorts at a minimum 1-year follow-up. There were considerable deficiencies and heterogeneity in the reporting of PRP preparation methods for both indications.

Conclusion:

Treatment of OA with PRP demonstrated reductions in pain and improved patient-reported outcomes for up to 1 year. However, there was no statistically significant difference between PRP and HA in pain reduction. Likewise, for FAIS and labral surgery there was no statistically significant difference in mHHS outcomes between patients treated with PRP and controls. Given the limited number of studies and variability in PRP preparations, additional high-quality randomized trials are warranted.

Teamwork in hip preservation: the ISHA 2019 Annual Scientific Meeting

Hip preservation surgery is now an established part of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. This report describes the key findings of the 11th Annual Scientific Meeting of International Society for Hip Arthroscopy-the International Hip Preservation Society-in Madrid, Spain from 16 to 19 October 2019. Lectures, seminars and debates explored the most up-to-date and expert views on a wide variety of subjects, including: diagnostic problems in groin pain, buttock pain and low back pain; surgical techniques in acetabular dysplasia, hip instability, femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, labral repair and reconstruction, cartilage defects, adolescent hips and gluteus medius and hamstring tears; and new ideas about femoral torsion, hip-spine syndrome, hip capsule surgery, impact of particular sports on hip injuries, registries, robotics and training for hip preservation specialists. Surgeons, sports physicians, radiologists and physiotherapists looking after young people with hip problems have an increasingly sophisticated armoury of ideas and techniques with which to help their patients. The concept of hip preservation has developed incredibly fast over the last decade; now it is clear that the best results can only be achieved by a multidisciplinary team working together. The 2020s will be the decade of 'Teamwork in Hip Preservation'.

Evidence-based Risk Stratification for Sport Medicine Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Orthopaedic practices have been markedly affected by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the ban on elective procedures, it is impossible to define the medical urgency of a case solely on whether a case is on an elective surgery schedule. Orthopaedic surgical procedures should consider COVID-19-associated risks and an assimilation of all available disease dependent, disease independent, and logistical information that is tailored to each patient, institution, and region. Using an evidence-based risk stratification of clinical urgency, we provide a framework for prioritization of orthopaedic sport medicine procedures that encompasses such factors. This can be used to facilitate the risk-benefit assessment of the timing and setting of a procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Periacetabular osteotomy with or without arthroscopic management in patients with hip dysplasia: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial

Background

Hip dysplasia is one of the most common causes of hip arthritis. Its incidence is estimated to be between 3.6 and 12.8% (Canadian Institute for Health Information, Hip and knee replacements in Canada, 2017–2018: Canadian joint replacement registry annual report, 2019; Jacobsen and Sonne-Holm, Rheumatology 44:211–8, 2004). The Periacetabular Osteotomy (PAO) has been used successfully for over 30 years (Gosvig et al., J Bone Joint Surg Am 92:1162–9, 2010), but some patients continue to exhibit symptoms post-surgery (Wyles et al., Clin Orthop Relat Res 475:336–50, 2017). A hip arthroscopy, performed using a small camera, allows surgeons to address torn cartilage inside the hip joint. Although both procedures are considered standard of care treatment options, it is unknown whether the addition of hip arthroscopy improves patient outcomes compared to a PAO alone. To delay or prevent future joint replacement surgeries, joint preservation surgery is recommended for eligible patients. While previous studies found an added cost to perform hip arthroscopies, the cost-effectiveness to Canadian Health care system is not known.

Methods

Patients randomized to the experimental group will undergo central compartment hip arthroscopy prior to completion of the PAO. Patients randomized to the control group will undergo isolated PAO. Patient-reported quality of life will be the primary outcome used for comparison between the two treatment groups as measured by The International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-33) (Saberi Hosnijeh et al., Arthritis Rheum 69:86–93, 2017). Secondary outcomes will include the four-square step test and sit-to-stand (validated in patients with pre-arthritic hip pain) and hip-specific symptoms and impairment using the HOOS; global health assessment will be compared using the PROMIS Global 10 Score; health status will be assessed using the EQ-5D-5L and EQ VAS questionnaires (Ganz et al., Clin Orthop Relat Res 466:264–72, 2008) pre- and post-operatively. In addition, operative time, hospital length of stay, adverse events, and health services utilization will be collected. A sub-group of patients (26 in each group) will receive a T1rho MRI before and after surgery to study changes in cartilage quality over time. A cost-utility analysis will be performed to compare costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with the intervention.

Discussion

We hypothesize that (1) concomitant hip arthroscopy at the time of PAO to address central compartment pathology will result in clinically important improvements in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) versus PAO alone, that (2) additional costs associated with hip arthroscopy will be offset by greater clinical improvements in this group, and that (3) combined hip arthroscopy and PAO will prove to be a cost-effective procedure.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03481010. Registered on 6 March 2020. Protocol version: version 3.

Emergency Department Utilization After Elective Hip Arthroscopy

PURPOSE

(1) To identify the most common reasons for presentation to the emergency department (ED) after hip arthroscopy and (2) to determine preoperative risk factors for these ED visits.

METHODS

Patients undergoing elective hip arthroscopy between the start of 2014 and the third quarter of 2015 were retrospectively evaluated using discharge records from New York and Florida. The primary outcome was all-cause 7-, 30-, and 90-day ED utilization. Reasons for presentation to the ED were recorded and manually stratified. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of ED utilization.

RESULTS

The overall rate of postoperative ED visits after hip arthroscopy was 1.8% at 7 days, 3.5% at 30 days, and 6.6% at 90 days. Postoperative pain was the most common reason for visiting the ED at all time points (25.4%, 23.7%, and 20.3%, respectively), followed by gastrointestinal complaints (19.5%, 15.0%, and 15.3%, respectively) and neurologic complaints (8.7%, 9.8%, and 10.5%, respectively). Female sex (relative risk [RR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-2.54; P < .001), Medicare insurance (RR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.41-4.04; P < .001), and Medicaid insurance (RR, 3.45; 95% CI, 2.37-5.04; P < .001) were identified as independent risk factors for ED utilization at 90 days postoperatively. Of all patients who presented to the ED, only 3.9% were admitted to the hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

ED visits after elective hip arthroscopy are uncommon. The most common reason for a visit is postoperative pain, followed by gastrointestinal and neurologic complaints. After accounting for confounding, we found that female sex, Medicare and Medicaid insurance status, and hypertension were risk factors for all-cause ED visits at up to 90 days postoperatively. Only 4% of patients who present to the ED require inpatient hospital admission.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective cohort study.

Consensus recommendations on the classification, definition and diagnostic criteria of hip-related pain in young and middle-aged active adults from the International Hip-related Pain Research Network, Zurich 2018

There is no agreement on how to classify, define or diagnose hip-related pain-a common cause of hip and groin pain in young and middle-aged active adults. This complicates the work of clinicians and researchers. The International Hip-related Pain Research Network consensus group met in November 2018 in Zurich aiming to make recommendations on how to classify, define and diagnose hip disease in young and middle-aged active adults with hip-related pain as the main symptom. Prior to the meeting we performed a scoping review of electronic databases in June 2018 to determine the definition, epidemiology and diagnosis of hip conditions in young and middle-aged active adults presenting with hip-related pain. We developed and presented evidence-based statements for these to a panel of 37 experts for discussion and consensus agreement. Both non-musculoskeletal and serious hip pathological conditions (eg, tumours, infections, stress fractures, slipped capital femoral epiphysis), as well as competing musculoskeletal conditions (eg, lumbar spine) should be excluded when diagnosing hip-related pain in young and middle-aged active adults. The most common hip conditions in young and middle-aged active adults presenting with hip-related pain are: (1) femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome, (2) acetabular dysplasia and/or hip instability and (3) other conditions without a distinct osseous morphology (labral, chondral and/or ligamentum teres conditions), and that these terms are used in research and clinical practice. Clinical examination and diagnostic imaging have limited diagnostic utility; a comprehensive approach is therefore essential. A negative flexion-adduction-internal rotation test helps rule out hip-related pain although its clinical utility is limited. Anteroposterior pelvis and lateral femoral head-neck radiographs are the initial diagnostic imaging of choice-advanced imaging should be performed only when requiring additional detail of bony or soft-tissue morphology (eg, for definitive diagnosis, research setting or when planning surgery). We recommend clear, detailed and consistent methodology of bony morphology outcome measures (definition, measurement and statistical reporting) in research. Future research on conditions with hip-related pain as the main symptom should include high-quality prospective studies on aetiology and prognosis. The most common hip conditions in active adults presenting with hip-related pain are: (1) FAI syndrome, (2) acetabular dysplasia and/or hip instability and (3) other conditions without distinct osseous morphology including labral, chondral and/or ligamentum teres conditions. The last category should not be confused with the incidental imaging findings of labral, chondral and/or ligamentum teres pathology in asymptomatic people. Future research should refine our current recommendations by determining the clinical utility of clinical examination and diagnostic imaging in prospective studies.

Nonoperative Management of Hip Labral Tears Yields Similar Total Hip Arthroplasty Conversion Rate to Arthroscopic Treatment

BACKGROUND

Arthroscopic treatment of hip labral tears has increased significantly in recent years. There is limited evidence comparing nonoperative management to arthroscopic treatment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the progression to total hip arthroplasty (THA), as well as the cost associated with arthroscopic management of labral tears compared to nonoperative treatment.

METHODS

The Humana claims database was queried from 2007 through 2016. International Classification of Diseases and Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify patients with hip labral tears and hip arthroscopy and THA procedures. Two cohorts were created: a nonoperative group and an operative group. Following propensity score matching, the rate of conversion and time to THA conversion were calculated. Cost was calculated using the total cost reimbursed for encounters within 6 months. Continuous variables were analyzed using Student t-test and Mann-Whitney test, and categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square test.

RESULTS

After propensity matching, 864 patients were included in the analysis. The conversion rate to THA in the operative group (6.7%) and the nonoperative group (5.3%) was not statistically different (P = .391). The operative group had a longer time to THA (21.5 ± 16.8 months) than the nonoperative group (15.9 ± 19.5 months; P = .044). The cost for the operative group was significantly higher ($14,266.55 ± $7187.96) compared to the nonoperative group ($2941.96 ± $2664.00; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

This study did not find a difference in the rate of conversion to THA for operative vs nonoperative groups. Time to THA in the operative group was longer, however, at the expense of higher costs.

Operative Versus Nonoperative Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: A Meta-analysis of Short-Term Outcomes

PURPOSE

To compare the outcomes of patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome treated with hip arthroscopy versus those treated with physical therapy alone.

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to February 15, 2019. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared operative versus nonoperative treatment in the management of FAI for a minimum 6-month follow-up period were included. The primary outcome was the International Hip Outcome Tool 33. The CLEAR NPT (Checklist to Evaluate a Report of a Nonpharmacological Trial) was used to evaluate the methodologic quality of included studies.

RESULTS

Three RCTs (Level I) were included with a total of 650 patients (323 randomized to surgery and 327 randomized to physical therapy), follow-rate of 90% (583 patients, 295 operative and 288 nonoperative), and average of 11.5 months' follow-up. Regarding participation, 222 of 350 patients (63%) in the FAIT (Femoroacetabular Impingement Trial) study, 348 of 648 (54%) in the FASHIoN (Full UK RCT of Arthroscopic Surgery for Hip Impingement Versus Best Conservative Care) study, and 80 of 104 (77%) in the study by Mansell et al. agreed to participate. The mean age was 35 years, and 51.5% of patients were male patients. All 3 RCTs represented high methodologic quality and a low risk of bias. The frequency-weighted mean follow-up period was 10 months. A meta-analysis of the 3 randomized trials showed that patients treated with operative management had improved preoperative-to-postoperative change scores on the International Hip Outcome Tool 33 compared with the nonoperative group (standardized mean difference, 3.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-6.86; P < .05). One study reported on the achievement of clinically relevant outcomes at the individual level, with 51% of the operative group and 32% of the nonoperative group achieving the minimal clinically important difference and with 48% and 19%, respectively, achieving the patient acceptable symptomatic state for the Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this meta-analysis show that patients with FAI syndrome treated with hip arthroscopy have statistically superior hip-related outcomes in the short term compared with those treated with physical therapy alone.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, meta-analysis of Level I RCTs.

Unplanned Admissions Following Hip Arthroscopy: Incidence and Risk Factors

PURPOSE

To determine the rate of and risk factors for 30-day unplanned admissions following hip arthroscopy in a U.S.

METHODS

Patients undergoing hip arthroscopy were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database using validated Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Tenth Revision codes. Patient demographics, comorbidities, preoperative laboratory values, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes were compared between patients with unplanned admissions and those without. Univariate analysis comparing study cohorts was performed using 2-tailed Student t tests with Levene's test for equality of variance or χ²/Fisher exact tests as appropriate. Using variables that were significant in the univariate analysis, we created Cox proportional hazard models to identify independent predictors for unplanned admission.

RESULTS

A total of 1931 cases of hip arthroscopy were identified. There were 18 cases of unplanned admissions within 30 days of index procedure (0.9%). The median time to unplanned admission was 14.5 days (interquartile range: 3.875-25.125 days). The most common reasons for admission were surgical-site infection (11.1%), wound complications (11.1%), and thromboembolic events (11.1%). There were 4 patients who required reoperation (22.2%). There were 7 cases (39.0%) that were readmitted for reasons unrelated to the index hip arthroscopy procedure. Multivariate analysis identified increasing body mass index, chronic corticosteroid use, and perioperative blood transfusion as factors independently associated with increased risk for unplanned admission.

CONCLUSIONS

There exists a low incidence of 30-day unplanned admission, predominantly secondary to surgical-site infections, wound complications, and thromboembolic events. Independent risk factors for unplanned admission include greater body mass index, chronic corticosteroid use, and perioperative transfusions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III Retrospective Cohort Study.