Outcomes for hip arthroscopy based on sex and age: A comparative matched-group analysis

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) based on sex and age. Methods: A total of 150 patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI by a single fellowship-trained surgeon were prospectively analyzed, with 25 patients categorized in each of the following groups: A) females ≤30 years,B) females 31-45 years, C) females >45 years, D) males ≤30 years, E) males 31-45 years and F) males >45 years. Primary clinical outcomes included the Hip Outcome Score Activity of Daily Living (HOS-ADL) and Sport-Specific Subscales (HOS-SS), the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), and clinical improvement at final follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing ANOVA with posthoc Tukey HSD tests, with P<0.05 considered significant. Results: One-hundred forty of 150 patients (93%) were available for follow-up at an average 2.72±0.43 years (minimum, 2 years), with no differences in follow-up rates between the 6 groups (P<0.05). All groups demonstrated significant improvements in HOS-ADL, HOS-SS, and mHHS outcomes at final follow-up (P<0.001). Females >45 scored significantly worse on the HOS-ADL, HOS-SS, and mHHS compared to females ≤30 (P<0.0001, P=0.001, P<0.0001 respectively) and females 30-45 (P=0.015, P<0.0001, P=0.001 respectively). Similarly, males >45 scored significantly worse on the HOS-ADL, HOS-SS, and mHHS compared to males ≤30 (P=0.012, P=0.015, P=0.022 respectively) (Figure 1). Males >45 scored significantly better than females >45 on the HOS-SS (P=0.013) and the mHHS(P=0.024). Incorporating both sexes, patients >45 scored significantly worse on the HOS-ADL, HOS-SS, and mHHS compared to patients ≤30 (P<0.0001, P<0.0001, P<0.0001, respectively) and patients 30-45 (P=0.005, P<0.0001, P=0.008, respectively). Conclusion: While all patients had significant improvements in all outcomes following hip arthroscopy for FAI, patients >45 years performed worse compared to patients in younger age groups, with females >45 years demonstrating the poorest outcome scores. This data can be used to counsel patients preoperatively and to individualize care to optimize outcomes following hip arthroscopy for FAI.

Duke Scholars

Author Richard Charles Mather III Orthopaedic Surgery