Progression to total hip arthroplasty following hip arthroscopy

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique increasingly being used to treat hip pathology. There is evidence that a proportion of patients require total hip arthroplasty in the years immediately following arthroscopy, suggesting that these patients have derived only a limited benefit from the procedure. Identification of risk factors for early progression to hip arthroplasty may enable refinement of hip arthroscopy indications and more informed decision making. The aim of this study is to identify the proportion of patients in a hip arthroscopy cohort who progress to total hip arthroplasty within 2 years of arthroscopy, and to analyse risk factors for this early progression.

A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on all patients who underwent hip arthroscopy at one tertiary institution from 2004 to 2013. Hospital data were linked to the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry in 2016 to identify subsequent hip arthroplasty.

There were 989 arthroscopies performed on 947 patients; 447 were female (48.1%), the mean age was 41.1 years (SD: 14.23) and osteoarthritis was present at arthroscopy in 31.5%. Total hip arthroplasty occurred in 129 patients (13%) within 2 years. Multivariable logistic regression revealed osteoarthritis, age >50 years and previous arthroscopy were significant risk factors for arthroplasty within 2 years (adjusted odds ratios (confidence intervals): 4.6 (2.91-7.16), 3.8 (2.44-5.87), 2.5 (1.16-5.81)).

Osteoarthritis, older age and history of arthroscopy were independent risk factors for early progression to arthroplasty; these factors should be considered within clinical decision-making, and when discussing potential arthroscopy outcomes with patients.