Good midterm results of hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement

Short-term outcome after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) has been reported to improve hip function and decrease pain. Only few midterm and long-term studies have been published. The objective of this study was to report midterm results in a consecutive cohort and to study the relation between cartilage lesions and the conversion rate to total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Eighty-four FAI patients were followed retrospectively for 6-8 years. The conversion rate to THA, the peri-operative findings and the patient-reported outcome measures were reported.

Fifteen of 84 (18%) patients were converted to THA. The five-year hip survival rate was 83.9% (confidence interval (CI): 75.1-91.5%). The THA group was significantly older, with a mean age of 46.9 years (CI: 42.8-50.8 years) compared with 39.0 years (CI: 36.6-41.6 years) in the non-THA group (p = 0.011). In the THA group, 13 of 15 patients were 40 years or older (p = 0.005). A high-grade acetabular or femoral cartilage lesion was associated with a higher risk of conversion to THA (p = 0.017 and p < 0.0001). Sixty-four of the 69 patients (93%) were willing to repeat their arthroscopy.

The midterm results for arthroscopic hip-preserving surgery show a high level of patient satisfaction and a good functional outcome. The conversion rate to THA was 18%. High-grade cartilage lesions and age of 40 years and older are risk factors for conversion to THA.

This work was supported by Aleris' Research Foundation, Box 47134, 100 74 Stockholm, Sweden. Registration number: 2014-24.

not relevant. .