Best practice guidelines for arthroscopic intervention in femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: results from an International Delphi Consensus Project—Phase 1

Abstract

Arthroscopic procedures to treat hip pathologies such as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome are now established in mainstream orthopaedic practice. Surgical techniques, rehabilitation protocols and outcomes are widely published. However, consensus on standards of practice remains to be determined. The International Hip Preservation Society (ISHA) has undertaken a research study to identify current areas of consensus across the global hip preservation community. The study focussed on consensus statements on the operative steps in the arthroscopic treatment of FAI syndrome. The study methodology was an online Delphi consensus method to collect aggregate opinions from hip preservation surgeons worldwide. Phase 1 of the planned three-phase study is presented here—focusing on consensus statements on the operative steps in the arthroscopic treatment of FAI syndrome. Ninety-nine statements achieved >80% consensus from a panel of 165 surgeons from six continents. This study is the first to evaluate global consensus on the arthroscopic treatment of FAI syndrome, as well as highlighting areas of contention and avenues for future research.