Editorial Commentary: Pain Relief Following a Preoperative Diagnostic Hip Injection Does Not Predict 2-Year Outcomes...

For decades, hip preservationists have utilized intra-articular preoperative injections for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons. In the presence of typical or atypical hip pain, impingement, instability, and torsional abnormalities, hip preservationists are challenged with consistently educating ourselves and patients on interventions that can predict long-term relief. Current evidence on the predictive postoperative value of a positive injection response is mixed. Injection results can show whether the patient's symptoms are coming from the hip and to what extent, but they may not predict future outcomes. The patient is more complicated than a positive or negative injection response, and the decision for surgery should be taken in context to all clinical factors, imaging findings, and patient expectations. Proper rehabilitation is also vital. Finally, a negative injection response in a patient diagnosed with femoral acetabular impingement syndrome should not deter the decision for surgery. With the correct diagnosis and procedure, patients can do well.