Arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement in athletes.

Background: Hip pathology is a significant source of pain and dysfunction among athletic individuals and femoroacetabular impingement is often a causative factor. Arthroscopic intervention has been proposed to address the joint damage and underlying impingement.

Hypothesis: Arthroscopy may be effective in the management of symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement in athletes.

Study Design: Case series, Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: All patients undergoing hip arthroscopy at 1 institution were prospectively assessed with a modified Harris hip score obtained preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 12, 24, 60, and 120 months. This report consists of a cohort of 200 patients identified who underwent arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement, participated in athletic activities, and had achieved minimum 1-year follow up.

Results: There was 100% follow-up at an average of 19 months (range, 12-60 months). A total of 116 athletes had achieved 2-year follow-up. For the entire cohort, the average age was 28.6 years (range, 11-60 years) with 148 males and 52 females. There were 159 cam, 31 combined, and 10 pincer lesions. There were 23 professional, 56 intercollegiate, 24 high school, and 97 recreational athletes. The male:female ratio was 2.8:1 among cam lesions and 1:1 among pincer lesions. The median preoperative score was 72 with a postoperative score of 96 and the median improvement was 20.5 points, which was statistically significant (P < .001). Ninety-five percent of professional athletes and 85% of intercollegiate athletes were able to return to their previous level of competition. There were 5 transient neurapraxias (all resolved) and 1 minor heterotopic ossification. One athlete (0.5%) underwent conversion to total hip arthroplasty and 4 (2%) underwent repeat arthroscopy. For the group with minimum 2-year follow up, the median improvement was 21 points with a postoperative score of 96.

Conclusion: The data substantiate successful outcomes in the arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement with few complications and most athletes were able to resume activities.