Rehabilitation Protocol After Hip Arthroscopy: A 2015-2020 Systematic Review.

Objective: Although many rehabilitation protocols after hip arthroscopy have been described, there is still significant variability about duration, goals, restrictions, and techniques to apply by the physical therapy after the surgical procedure. The aim of the study was to systematically review rehabilitation after hip arthroscopy.

Design: The data sources were PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines were used for the systematic review. Level I-IV evidence clinical studies and clinical reviews that focused on rehabilitation protocols after hip arthroscopy have been used as study eligibility criteria. Major limitations include the retrospective nature of most of the studies selected (level IV evidence) and the use of different clinical scores to report the outcomes.

Results: This review showed that although a standardized guideline on rehabilitation after hip arthroscopy is still missing, the most recent studies and clinical trials are focusing on a four-phase program, which includes goals, recommendations, and a progression of exercises.

Conclusions: Rehabilitation after hip arthroscopy is strongly suggested, but different authors recommended different rehabilitation programs. There is not a defined program, but as of today, the current standard of care is composed of phase-based programs.