Physical function in patients treated for hip dysplasia with periacetabular osteotomy and in some cases with...

Young patients with hip dysplasia and non-arthritic pain can be surgically treated with periacetabular osteotomy and in some cases with supplementary hip arthroscopy. On average, patient-reported pain improves after surgery, however, some patients still experience a high level of pain. It is unknown if it relates to low physical function. The aim of this study was to investigate physical function in patients surgically treated for hip dysplasia.

This cross-sectional study included 19 patients allocated into Low Pain (LP) and High Pain (HP) groups, using The Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score. Physical function was investigated using movement-related and clinical measures; hip kinematics, kinetics and electromyography in walking, maximal isometric hip muscle strength, hip range of motion, maximal walking distance, activity-related pain, and muscle- and tendon-related groin pain.

We found no differences between LP and HP patients for hip kinematics, kinetics and electromyography in walking (P ≥ 0.211). Hip muscle strength was lower in HP patients for hip adduction, extension and flexion (mean difference: -0.51 Nm/kg, 95 % CI [-0.89; -0.13], P = 0.012, -0.50 Nm/kg, 95 % CI [-0.95; -0.05], P = 0.032 and - 0.39 Nm/kg, 95 % CI [-0.71; -0.07], P = 0.020, respectively). Lower maximal walking distance (median difference: -60.0 m, 95 % CI [-110.0; -10.0], P = 0.035) and higher activity-related pain (median difference before: 0, 95 % CI [0;2], P = 0.356 and after 6-Minute Walk Test: 2, 95 % CI [0;4], P = 0.035) was observed.

After periacetabular osteotomy, patients with high pain have a low physical function influenzed by pain and deconditioning. This calls for a supplementary exercise-based treatment.

gov ID: NCT04591067.