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Evaluating a 3-Month Physical Impairment and Functional Performance-Based Rehabilitation Program After Hip
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a 3-month post-hip arthroscopy rehabilitation program within a randomized controlled trial comparing hip arthroscopy to sham surgery for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (HIP ARThroscopy International [HIPARTI] trial) by describing exercise adherence, type, and pain; 6-month changes in International Hip Outcome Tool-33 (iHOT-33); and physical impairments and functional performance. DESIGN: Exploratory cohort study nested in a pilot randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Participants aged 18 to 50 years with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome completed a 3-month, physical therapist-led, postsurgical rehabilitation program, self-reporting rehabilitation adherence and pain levels on the visual analog scale using weekly training diaries. Baseline to 6-month changes in quality of life (iHOT-33), physical impairment (hip strength, range of motion [ROM]), and functional performance (single-leg hop, side bridge endurance) were reported as mean (standard deviation). RESULTS: Twenty-nine people (37% female, 29.9 ± 7.9 years) participated. Hip extension, abduction, and functional exercises were performed most often. Exercise adherence analysis was limited by underreporting. Training diary data adequate to assess adherence were available for 20 participants (69%). Among those with available data, 16 (80%) met the predefined adherence target of ≥2 sessions per week, and average pain remained acceptable (<2 visual analog scale); iHOT-33 (+18.6 ± 22.5; 95% confidence interval: 10.2, 27.0) and hip flexion ROM (+6°; 95% confidence interval: 2.14, 9.60) improved significantly. Hip extension, adduction, external and internal rotation strength improvements exceeded the minimal detectable change, although they were not significant. CONCLUSION: Adherence was generally high among participants with available data, though limited by underreporting. Hip-related quality of life (iHOT-33) improved despite limited changes in physical impairments, and no improvement in functional performance. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2026;56(7):456-464. Epub 23 April 2026. doi:10.2519/jospt.2026.13775.
