A Comparison of Clinical Outcome Between Athletes and Nonathletes Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcome of arthroscopic surgery for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) between athlete and nonathlete patients.

DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. Level of Evidence III.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four patients who underwent arthroscopic FAI correction from March 2009 to April 2012 were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups, according to their sports participation (47 in the athlete group and 27 in the nonathlete group).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We reviewed clinical and radiographic data for all patients, up to a minimum of 2 years after surgery. We used analysis of covariance to compare the mean patient reported outcome scores including modified Harris hip score (MHHS) and the nonarthritis hip score (NAHS) preoperatively, at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery.

RESULTS: The mean age at the time of surgery in the athlete group was significantly lower than that in the nonathlete group. Although there was no significant difference in preoperative MHHS and NAHS, the mean NAHS at 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively and the mean MHHS at 24 months postoperatively in athletes were significantly higher than that in nonathletes (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Although arthroscopic FAI correction and labral preservation surgery is generally beneficial, it appears to provide a better clinical outcome in athletes than in nonathletes.