A Pre-Operative Exercise Intervention Can Be Safely Delivered to People with Femoroacetabular Impingement and Improve Clinical and Biomechanical Outcomes.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a pre-hip arthroscopy exercise intervention on hip strength, pain, and function in individuals with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). A total of 20 individuals with FAI completed a 10-week, partially supervised exercise programme; this included three phases of increasing resistance and functionality, consisting of four to six exercises per phase. Hip strength in all six directions; hip pain; function, as measured by the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS); and objective physical function, as measured by the Timed Stair Climb test, were determined before and after the intervention. Maximum isometric hip strength significantly increased in abduction (=0.008), adduction (=0.021), and internal rotation (=0.006) at follow-up. Increases in flexion, extension, and external rotation strength did not reach statistical significance. Self-reported HOOS pain (<0.01) and activities of daily living sub-scale scores (<0.01) significantly improved at follow-up. Timed Stair Climb times (<0.001) also significantly decreased at follow-up. A 10-week exercise programme can be safely completed by adults with FAI before surgery, and statistically significant changes in strength, function, and self-reported clinical outcomes can be achieved.