Previous arthroscopic repair of femoro-acetabular impingement does not affect outcomes of total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is commonly elected following failed arthroscopic treatment of femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate post-operative outcomes of primary THA in patients who had previously undergone arthroscopic treatment for FAI.

METHODS: A retrospective, matched case-control study was conducted. The case group included 39 patients who underwent THA after previous hip arthroscopy for FAI. Thirty-nine patients who had a primary THA without previous hip arthroscopy served as a control group and were matched for age, sex and body mass index. Surgical outcomes were assessed based on inpatient hospital metrics and outpatient complication measures. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the significance of outcome variables between case and control groups.

RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between groups in terms of operative time, haemoglobin drop, intra-operative estimated blood loss, transfusion requirements, amounts of opioids provided, functional mobility assessments on post-operative days one and two, length of hospitalization, discharge location, emergency department visits, post-operative superficial or deep periprosthetic infection, revision rates for dislocation or formation of heterotopic bone (p-values = 0.1-0.8). A statistically significant difference was found between the walking scores on the third post-operative day (p = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS: These findings, while underpowered, are consistent with other previously published reports. Previous hip arthroscopy for FAI does not appear to impact post-operative outcomes of a subsequent THA. Larger datasets from different surgeons and centers are needed to further assess these conclusions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case-control level-III.