Prehabilitation before hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: A randomised controlled trial.

Restricted hip range of motion (ROM) is a common finding in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome. However, the association between hip ROM and symptom severity in these individuals is unclear. Explore associations between symptom severity and hip flexion and rotation ROM in patients with FAI syndrome and determine if ROM measures can discriminate those with worse symptoms. Data from 150 participants with FAI syndrome were analysed. A digital inclinometer was used to measure hip flexion, internal rotation, and external rotation ROM. Symptom severity was quantified using the symptoms subscale of the international Hip Outcome Tool questionnaire (iHOT-Symptoms). Multivariable fractional polynomial analyses explored associations between hip ROM measures and symptom severity. Receiver operator characteristic curves explored the ability of ROM measurements to discriminate participants with different symptomatic states. Smaller hip flexion ROM values were associated with worse iHOT-Symptoms scores (p < 0.01; R2=0.242); with the polynomial concave association attenuated at approximately 120° of hip flexion ROM. Hip internal rotation was weakly associated with iHOT-Symptoms score (p = 0.01; R2=0.033). Hip external rotation ROM was not associated with iHOT-Symptoms score (p = 0.06). A hip flexion value of 107° best discriminated mild to moderate and severe symptom states (sensitivity 92%, specificity 52%). Less hip flexion ROM was associated with worse symptoms in patients with FAI syndrome. Patients with hip flexion ROM ≥ 107° had a 15-fold decrease in the likelihood of having severe symptoms. Hip rotation ROM measures do not have a clinically meaningful association with symptom severity.

Endoscopic Iliotibial Band Release During Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome and External Snapping Hip Had Better Patient-Reported Outcomes: A Retrospective Comparative Study

IntroductionDiscerning whether range of motion (ROM) is restricted by morphology or other pain sources is challenging in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). Computed tomography (CT) motion simulation provides a hypothetical ROM based on morphology. This study aimed to explore associations between ROM measured using CT motion simulation and maximum passive ROM measured clinically using three dimensional (3D) motion analysis in patients with FAIS, prior to and post arthroscopic hip surgery.Materials and methodsEight males with FAIS (in total 12 hip joints) were included in this explorative feasibility study. Participants were examined using CT according to a low-dose protocol prior to and 7-months post arthroscopic surgery. Software was used to simulate at which ROM the impingement would occur. With the hip in 90 degrees’ flexion, maximum passive range of internal hip rotation, and maximum passive internal hip rotation coupled with adduction was examined clinically using 3D motion analysis pre- and postoperatively. Spearman rank correlation coefficients and linear regressions examined associations between methods.ResultsPreoperatively, the correlation between maximum internal hip rotation measured using CT motion simulation and 3D motion analysis was strong (r = 0.71, p = 0.009). Linear regressions demonstrated that maximal internal rotation measured using CT motion simulation was predominantly larger than when measured using 3D motion analysis. Postoperatively, and when maximum internal rotation was coupled with adduction, no correlations were found between the two methods.ConclusionsThe hypothetical morphology restricted ROM is larger than clinically assessed pain restricted ROM, both prior to and post hip arthroscopy. These findings suggest that ROM is restricted by pain rather than mechanical, morphology-based impingement in individuals with FAIS.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated alterations in squat kinematics in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). Little is known about the effects of arthroscopic hip surgery on biomechanics during a single-leg squat (SLS) in these patients. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine if (1) lower extremity dynamic range of motion (ROM) during an SLS task improves after hip arthroscopy for FAIS and (2) correlations exist between changes in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and changes in lower extremity dynamic ROM during an SLS after hip arthroscopy for FAIS. It was hypothesized that dynamic hip ROM would improve after hip arthroscopy and that hip dynamic ROM would be associated with changes in PRO scores at both 6 months and 1 year. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Patients with FAIS performed 3 SLSs that were analyzed using a 20-camera motion capture system. Dynamic ROMs were calculated in 3 planes for the hip, knee, ankle, and pelvic segments. Squat depth was calculated as the change in vertical center of mass during the squat cycle. PROs including the Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), Hip Outcome Score–Sports (HOS–Sports), International Hip Outcome Tool–12, and visual analog scale for pain scores were collected preoperatively and at the time of postoperative testing. Paired-samples t tests were used to compare kinematic variables pre- and postoperatively. Correlations were used to compare changes in PROs with changes in kinematics. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 26. Results: Fifteen patients were tested preoperatively and at a mean of 9 months postoperatively. All PRO measures improved postoperatively at 6 months and 1 year. Squat depth and sagittal plane hip and knee dynamic ROMs were significantly improved postoperatively. Positive correlations existed between changes in (1) hip ROM with the 6-month HOS-ADL score (r = 0.665) and (2) knee ROM with the 6 month (r = 0.590) and 1-year (r = 0.565) HOS–Sports scores. Conclusion: Dynamic sagittal plane hip and knee ROMs improve after hip arthroscopy for FAIS. These improvements demonstrate strong correlations with improvements in some but not all postoperative PROs. Clinical Relevance: The current study sought to better understand the role of dynamic movement in the diagnosis and treatment of FAIS. These findings indicate that dynamic ROM and squat depth can, similarly to PROs, serve as biomarkers for patient function both before and after hip arthroscopic surgery.

Background: Impairments in squat depth have been reported in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). However, little is known about single-leg squat (SLS) performance in these patients, despite this task being commonly used in the rehabilitation and training settings. Purpose/Hypothesis: The aims of this study were (1) to investigate whether patients with FAIS demonstrate differences in SLS performance compared with healthy controls and (2) to determine whether dynamic range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, hip morphologic measures, hip pain, and hip-specific function predict SLS performance in patients with FAIS. We hypothesized that patients with FAIS would demonstrate impaired SLS performance and that impaired hip biomechanics, muscle strength, and hip-specific function would predict squat performance in patients with FAIS. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) kinematic data were collected at 100 Hz using a 20-camera 3D motion capture system during 3 SLS trials in 34 patients with FAIS and 26 healthy controls. Isometric muscle strength was tested with a stationary handheld dynamometer in all participants. Squat performance was quantified by squat depth (in meters), and the biomechanical variables of dynamic ROM of the pelvis, the hip, the knee, and the ankle in all planes were calculated. In patients with FAIS, femoral and acetabular morphology were measured using radiographic alpha angles and lateral center-edge angles. Hip pain and hip-specific function were measured using the visual analog scale for pain and the Hip Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living subscale, respectively. Two-tailed independent-samples t tests were used to determine between-group differences for squat depth, dynamic ROM variables, and muscle strength. A hierarchical multiple linear regression (MLR) model was used to determine whether biomechanical variables, muscle strength, hip morphology measures, hip pain, and hip-specific function were predictors of squat depth. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Version 26. Results: There were no between-group differences in age (FAIS, 30.0 ± 7.0 years vs controls, 27.3 ± 7.0 years; P = .18) or body mass index (FAIS, 23.1 ± 2.8 vs controls, 22.6 ± 3.2; P = .51). Squat depth was less in patients with FAIS compared with healthy controls (FAIS, 0.24 ± 0.4 m vs controls, 0.29 ± 0.05 m; P < .001). In the sagittal plane, patients with FAIS demonstrated less dynamic ROM of the hip (FAIS, 67.8°± 12.4° vs controls, 79.2°± 12.5°; P = .001) and the knee (FAIS, 71.9°± 9.4° vs controls, 78.9°± 13.2°; P = .02) compared with controls. Patients with FAIS also demonstrated a less dynamic coronal plane pelvis ROM (FAIS, 11.3°± 5.0° vs controls, 14.4°± 6.7°; P = .044). Patients with FAIS had reduced hip muscle strength of the hip external rotator (FAIS, 1 ± 0.3 N/kg vs controls, 1.2 ± 0.3 N/kg; P = .034), hip internal rotator (FAIS, 0.8 ± 0.3 N/kg vs controls 1 ± 0.3 N/kg; P = .03), and hip flexor (FAIS, 4 ± 1.1 N/kg vs controls, 4.8 ± 1.2 N/kg; P = .013) muscle groups. The hierarchical MLR revealed that the dynamic ROM of the hip, the knee, and the pelvis, the hip external rotation muscle strength, and the femoral alpha angles were all significant predictors of squat performance, and the final MLR model explained 92.4% of the total variance in squat depth in patients with FAIS. Conclusion: Patients with FAIS demonstrate impaired SLS squat performance compared with healthy controls. This impaired squat performance is predominantly predicted by sagittal plane knee and hip biomechanics and hip external rotator strength, and less by frontal plane pelvic ROM and hip morphology in patients with FAIS. Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should focus treatment on improving dynamic ROM and hip external rotator muscle strength to improve squat performance; however, femoral morphology should also be considered in the treatment paradigm.

Hip Arthroscopy in Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome With Versus Without Low Back Pain and Lumbar Spine Pathology Shows Comparable Outcomes at Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up.

Are the Harris Hip Score and the Hip Outcome Score valid patient-reported outcome measures for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome?

ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of hip arthroscopy combined with endoscopic iliotibial band (ITB) release in patients with both femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome and external snapping hip (ESH).MethodsRetrospectively review the preoperative and minimum of 2‐year follow‐up data of patients with both FAI syndrome and ESH who underwent endoscopic ITB release during hip arthroscopy (FAI + ESH group) from January 2014 to December 2018. The same number of age‐ and gender‐matched FAI syndrome patients without ESH undergoing hip arthroscopy were enrolled in the control group (FAI group). Patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) including international Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT‐33), modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), visual analog scale for pain (VAS‐pain), and abductive force of affected hip at 3 month and 2 years postoperatively were comparatively analyzed. The VAS‐satisfaction score of two groups at 2 years postoperatively were also analyzed.ResultsThe prevalence of ESH in FAI syndrome patients undergoing hip arthroscopy in our institution was 5.5% (39 of 715 hips), including nine males (10 hips) and 29 females (29 hips). The mean age at the time of surgery was 32.1 ± 6.9 years (range, 22–48 years). According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 patients were enrolled in FAI + ITB group. Twenty‐three age‐ and sex‐matched FAI syndrome patients were enrolled in FAI group. At 24 months postoperatively, no patient still suffered ESH symptoms and painful palpation at lateral region in FAI + ITB group. The iHOT‐33, mHHS, and VAS‐pain score of patients in FAI + ESH group were significantly severer than patients in FAI group preoperatively (41.6 ± 7.5 vs 48.8 ± 7.2, 54.8 ± 7.2 vs 59.2 ± 6.9, 5.5 ± 0.9 vs 4.7 ± 1.0; P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in these scores between the patients in FAI + ESH group and FAI group at 3‐month and 24‐month follow‐up (73.6 ± 8.5 vs 76.1 ± 6.9, 85.3 ± 7.8 vs 84.2 ± 6.6, 0.8 ± 0.9 vs 0.6 ± 0.9; P > 0.05). At 3 months after surgery, the abductive force of operated hip was significantly smaller than that in FAI group (82.4 ± 12.4 N vs 91.9 ± 16.1 N, P < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference at 24 months after surgery (101.6 ± 14.9 N vs 106.5 ± 13.7 N, P > 0.05). The VAS‐satisfaction scores of patients in the two groups were at a similarly high level (90.5 ± 6.8 vs 88.8 ± 7.3, P > 0.05). There was no complication and no arthroscopic revision in either group until 2‐year follow‐up.ConclusionAlthough abductive force recovery of the hip was delayed, hip arthroscopy combined with endoscopic ITB release addressed hip snapping in patients with both FAI syndrome and ESH, and could get similar functional improvement, pain relief, recovery speed, as well as patient satisfaction compared with the pure hip arthroscopy in FAI syndrome patients without ESH.

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.

Mid- to Long-Term Outcomes of Hip Arthroscopy: A Systematic Review

To summarize our experiences of applying percutaneous multiple needle puncturing technique for releasing adductor muscle during total hip arthroplasty (THA) for ischemic necrosis of femoral head and provide rationales for clinical practice. From January 2008 to December 2012, 36 adult patients with ischemic necrosis of femoral head (36 hips) and 36 adult patients with femoral neck fracture (36 hips) were recruited. The group of ischemic necrosis of femoral head was designated as experiment group in which there were 29 males and 7 females with an average age of 67.9 (60-78) years. According to the Ficat system, there were type III (n = 24) and type IV (n = 12) . The affected leg shortening of this group prior to surgery was over 2 cm. The group of femoral neck fracture was selected as control group in which there were 16 males and 20 females with an average age of 70.1 (60-82) years. According to the Garden system, there were type III (n = 16) and type IV (n = 20). All cases underwent THA with Press-fit prosthesis. After fixing prosthetic components, leg length discrepancy was corrected. And percutaneous multiple needle puncturing was applied for releasing adductor muscle in experiment group. The follow-up period was 2 years. The safety and efficiency were evaluated by HHS (Harris Hip Score) and the range of motion (ROM) of hip extorsion and abduction. There was no occurrence of such early complications as palsy of obturator nerve, hematoma in adductor muscle area or serious deep vein embolism.No serious complications of deep infection, femoral head dislocation, recurrent adductor muscle contracture, prosthesis loosening, subsidence, excursion or penetration occurred up until the final follow-up. The range of hip motion of extorsion and abduction: (1) in experimental group, the postoperative ROM (abduction:44.9 ± 0.8, extorsion:45.1 ± 0.9) was significantly larger than that of preoperative (abduction: 30.0 ± 4.6, extorsion:31.5 ± 4.6) ; (2) the postoperative ROM of experimental group had no significant changes until the final follow-up (abduction: 44.7 ± 0.9, extorsion:45.25 ± 0.81); (3) at the last time of follow-up, no significant inter-group difference existed in ROM (abduction:44.86 ± 0.68, extorsion:45.6 ± 0.8). HHS: (1) in experimental group, HHS increased significantly from 39.64 ± 3.93 preoperatively to 82.8 ± 3.6 at 3 months postoperatively; (2) in two groups, HHS of 2 years postoperation (experimental group: 88.6 ± 4.1, control group: 89.1 ± 4.0) was significantly larger than that of 3 months postoperation (experimental group: 82.8 ± 3.6, control group:83.1 ± 3.1); (3) at the time of 3 months and 2 years postoperation, no significant inter-group difference existed in HHS. The technique percutaneous multiple needle puncturing for releasing adductor muscle during THA for ischemic necrosis of femoral head is both safe and efficacious. And it solves the problems of soft tissue balancing mini-invasiveness.

Within orthopaedic sports medicine, concomitant ligamentous laxity is often found to be a negative prognostic factor for post-operative outcomes following various procedures. The effect of ligamentous laxity on outcomes following hip arthroscopy remains infrequently reported. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to report on the outcomes of hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) with concomitant generalized ligamentous laxity (GLL). A systematic search was performed in Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and SPORTDiscus (from inception to April 2021) for studies reporting outcomes following hip arthroscopy for symptomatic FAIS in patients with concomitant GLL. Six studies representing 213 patients and 231 hips were included. Outcomes of pain and functional scores as measured by VAS, Harris Hip Score, and Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score were tabulated. A mean improvement of 4.8 on VAS was observed. Improvements of 30.0 on HHS, 33.1 for ssHOS, and 23.9 for ADL-HOS were observed. Hip arthroscopy is an effective method of alleviating pain and improving function with statistically significant improvements in all PROM in patients with concomitant FAIS with GLL. IV. CRD42021248864.

Radiographic assessment is central to the diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome. However, the relationship between specific bony morphology and symptom severity remains unclear. We sought to evaluate the relationship between FAI morphology, quantified through preoperative radiographic measures, and preoperative symptom burden in patients with FAI syndrome. We conducted a retrospective study of prospectively collected data that included a series of consecutive patients diagnosed with FAI syndrome who underwent hip arthroscopy by a single surgeon between January 2024 and October 2025. Inclusion criteria were (1) diagnosis of FAI syndrome and (2) availability of complete preoperative patient records, including X-ray images and preoperative patient-reported outcome measures. Exclusion criteria were (1) patients <14 or >60 years, (2) diagnosis that included FAI syndrome with concomitant intra-articular pathology, (3) hip surgery other than primary hip arthroscopy, (4) unavailable X-ray imaging, and (5) history of lower extremity osteotomy for abnormal rotational profile. Hip impingement measures were obtained on preoperative radiographs, including α angle, head-neck offset, anterior center-edge angle, and lateral center-edge angle, crossover sign, crossover ratio, and ischial spine sign. Preoperative symptom severity was assessed by the International Hip Outcome Tool-12 (iHOT-12). Multivariate models adjusted for demographics, mental health, physical activity, and corticosteroid injection history. Among 285 patients (median age 34.9 years, 75.4% female), the median iHOT-12 score was 37.5. Proximal femur measures and acetabular coverage were not correlated with iHOT-12. The presence of crossover or ischial spine signs was associated with higher iHOT-12 on bivariate analysis and remained predictive of higher iHOT-12 after adjustment for demographics and injection status in multivariate modeling. All other radiographic measures were non-significant after further adjustment for mental health and activity level. Radiographic measures of retroversion are associated with better preoperative symptoms in patients with FAI syndrome. Other radiographic measures of hip impingement showed no meaningful association with preoperative symptom severity. For patients with FAI syndrome, psychological and functional factors exerted a larger influence on symptom severity than did impingement severity as reflected on radiograph. Level IV: retrospective case series.

Midterm Follow-Up and Assessment of Cartilage Thickness by Arthro-Magnetic Resonance Imaging After Arthroscopic Cam Resection, Labral Repair, and Rim Trimming Without Labral Detachment

Background Hip-related groin pain is common in sub-elite football players and may be associated with altered hip biomechanics. Objectives To compare the hip biomechanics, bony hip morphology associated with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome, and hip strength and range of motion (ROM) between the symptomatic and asymptomatic limbs of sub-elite football players with unilateral hip-related groin pain and a positive flexion, adduction, and internal rotation (FADIR) test. Methods Fifteen sub-elite football (soccer) players with unilateral hip-related groin pain and a positive FADIR test were recruited for this observational cross-sectional study. Three-dimensional motion analysis and ground reaction force data were recorded for walking and a single-leg drop-jump (SLDJ) task. Participants also underwent a standard anterior-posterior hip radiograph and hip strength and ROM assessment. Between-limb differences were assessed using paired t tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results The symptomatic limb displayed a smaller peak hip extension angle (P = .01) and a lower peak hip adduction moment (P = .03) compared with the asymptomatic limb during the stance phase of walking. Additionally, during the SLDJ, the symptomatic limb demonstrated less total sagittal plane ROM (P = .04). The symptomatic limb also demonstrated less external rotation ROM (P = .03). However, no differences were found between limbs for bony hip morphology associated with FAI syndrome or hip strength. Conclusion This study found between-limb asymmetries in low- and high-impact functional tasks, such as walking and an SLDJ, in football players with unilateral hip-related groin pain. Despite unilateral pain, bony morphology associated with FAI syndrome did not differ between limbs. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2018;48(7):584-593. Epub 8 May 2018. doi:10.2519/jospt.2018.7910.