Benefits of hip arthroscopy surgery for soccer players: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The complex and dynamic biomechanics of soccer significantly increase the susceptibility of the hip joint to injury. While hip arthroscopy is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic modality that facilitates an expedited return to play for athletes, the specific extent of its clinical benefit for soccer players requires further evaluation.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Embase, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online were selected as search databases. Case series related to "soccer" and "hip arthroscopy" were retrieved. After screening, Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools was used to assess the risk of bias. The differences before and after treatment in modified Hip Harris Score (mHHS) scores, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores, and Return to Play (RTP) rates were evaluated.

This study included 12 case series studies into quantitative analysis, with a total of 361 soccer players. Among them, eight with high-quality and four with moderate quality. The meta-analysis results showed that after receiving hip arthroscopy, patients' mHHS scores increased (MD = 28.49, 95%CI [19.23; 37.75], Z = 6.03, P < 0.0001), VAS scores decreased (MD=-4.91, 95%CI [-7.02; -2.80], Z=-4.57, P < 0.0001), and ADL scores increased (MD = 23.59, 95%CI [18.04; 29.14], Z = 8.33, P < 0.0001). Soccer players who underwent hip arthroscopy surgery had an RTP of Proportion = 0.910, 95%CI [0.822; 0.974], a high-level performance RTP ratio of Proportion = 0.71, 95%CI [0.40; 0.90], and a mean return to play time of 6.34, 95%CI [4.50; 8.18] months.

Among soccer players with hip injuries, hip arthroscopy surgery is associated with improved hip function, reduced pain levels, enhanced ability to perform daily activities, and a high return-to-sport rate.