Extensive Capsule-Labrum Adhesion: A Potential Risk Factor for Continuous Symptom and Worse Patient-Reported Outcomes...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Capsule-labrum adhesions are a frequent complication following hip arthroscopy.
• The impact of these adhesions on patient recovery and outcomes remains inadequately understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of capsular adhesions on patient outcomes after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) with labral tears (LT).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cross-sectional study involving 65 adult patients (67 hips) who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAIS with LT.
• Patients were assessed at minimum 2-year follow-up with physical exams and MRI, categorized into symptomatic/asymptomatic groups, and further stratified by capsule-labrum adhesion length.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of postoperative adhesions was observed in both symptomatic (86.84%) and asymptomatic (96.55%) groups.
• Symptomatic patients exhibited significantly longer capsule-labrum adhesions (21.66 ± 10.52 mm) compared to asymptomatic patients (15.16 ± 9.88 mm).
• Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were significantly worse in patients with adhesions >23 mm compared to those with shorter adhesions (<23 mm).

Conclusions:

• Postoperative capsule-labrum adhesions are highly prevalent after hip arthroscopy for FAIS with LT using interportal capsulotomy without repair.
• More extensive capsule-labrum adhesions are associated with persistent symptoms and diminished patient-reported outcomes.