The effectiveness of hydrotherapy on return to play in sports following hip arthroscopic surgery: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The postoperative management of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is variable with favourable surgical outcomes. Yet there is no evidence on the efficacy of hydrotherapy in athletes undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role and the impact of hydrotherapy on return to sports following hip arthroscopy for symptomatic FAI. METHODS: 2 cohorts of mixed level of athletes from various sports: a hydrotherapy group that followed land-based exercises in combination with hydrotherapy exercises and a control group that followed solely the same land-based exercises. Pre- and postoperative pain and hip-specific outcome scores were completed, and patient satisfaction was rated. RESULTS: A total of 88 hip arthroscopies were included with a minimum of 2 years follow-up; the hydrotherapy group comprised of 36 hips and the control group, 52 hips. There was a significant improvement in time to return to previous performance (HR 1.91, 95% CI, 1.21-3.01; p = 0.005) in the hydrotherapy group compared with the control. The hip-specific scores and patient satisfaction were considerably improved in the hydrotherapy group. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of our data indicates that the incorporation of hydrotherapy into postoperative rehabilitation for hip arthroscopy for FAI accelerates the return of athletes to their pre-injury performance, since recovery time decreased significantly.

Olympic fencer with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome uses active rehabilitation to avoid surgery: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by hip symptoms. Conservative therapy is indicated prior to surgical intervention. However, no literature has described conservative management of FAI in detail. This report provides a detailed active rehabilitation plan for an elite athlete with FAI to guide future research and clinicians. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old male Olympic fencing athlete presented with unilateral hip pain less than 1 year prior to the Olympic Games. Radiographic imaging demonstrated bilateral cam morphology. Hip mobilizations and stretching did not provide a meaningful pain reduction. Cortisone injection was then suggested prior to the Games where surgery was suggested following the Games. MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME: Active rehabilitative exercises targeted motor control of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex, which led to significant pain reduction and full return to sport. Surgical intervention and cortisone injections were deemed unnecessary due to resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Athletes with FAI syndrome may benefit from specific active rehabilitation exercises. Future clinical trials should explore rehabilitative exercises that address improved motor control to manage individuals with FAI syndrome.

Does the Capital Femoral Physis Bony MorphologyDiffer in Children with Symptomatic Cam-type Femoroacetabular Impingement.

BACKGROUND: The epiphyseal tubercle, the corresponding metaphyseal fossa, and peripheral cupping are key stabilizers of the femoral head-neck junction. Abnormal development of these features in the setting of supraphysiologic physeal stress under high forces (for example, forces that occur during sports activity) may result in a cam morphology. Although most previous studies on cam-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) have mainly focused on overgrowth of the peripheral cupping, little is known about detailed morphologic changes of the epiphyseal and metaphyseal bony surfaces in patients with cam morphology. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Does the CT-based bony morphology of the peripheral epiphyseal cupping differ between patients with a cam-type morphology and asymptomatic controls (individuals who did not have hip pain)? (2) Does the CT-based bony morphology of the epiphyseal tubercle differ between patients with a cam-type morphology and asymptomatic controls? (3) Does the CT-based bony morphology of the metaphyseal fossa differ between patients with a cam-type morphology and asymptomatic controls? METHODS: After obtaining institutional review board approval for this study, we retrospectively searched our institutional database for patients aged 8 to 15 years with a diagnosis of an idiopathic cam morphology who underwent a preoperative CT evaluation of the affected hip between 2005 and 2018 (n = 152). We excluded 96 patients with unavailable CT scans and 40 patients with prior joint diseases other than cam-type FAI. Our search resulted in 16 patients, including nine males. Six of 16 patients had a diagnosis of bilateral FAI, for whom we randomly selected one side for the analysis. Three-dimensional (3-D) models of the proximal femur were generated to quantify the size of the peripheral cupping (peripheral growth of the epiphysis around the metaphysis), epiphyseal tubercle (a beak-like prominence in the posterosuperior aspect of the epiphysis), and metaphyseal fossa (a groove on the metaphyseal surface corresponding to the epiphyseal tubercle). A general linear model was used to compare the quantified anatomic features between the FAI cohort and 80 asymptomatic hips (aged 8 to 15 years; 50% male) after adjusting for age and sex. A secondary analysis using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test was performed to assess side-to-side differences in quantified morphological features in 10 patients with unilateral FAI. RESULTS: After adjusting for age and sex, we found that patients with FAI had larger peripheral cupping in the anterior, posterior, superior, and inferior regions than control patients who did not have hip symptoms or radiographic signs of FAI (by 1.3- to 1.7-fold; p < 0.01 for all comparisons). The epiphyseal tubercle height and length were smaller in patients with FAI than in controls (by 0.3- to 0.6-fold; p < 0.02 for all comparisons). There was no difference in tubercle width between the groups. Metaphyseal fossa depth, width, and length were larger in patients with FAI than in controls (by 1.8- to 2.3-fold; p < 0.001 for all comparisons). For patients with unilateral FAI, we saw similar peripheral cupping but smaller epiphyseal tubercle (height and length) along with larger metaphyseal fossa (depth) in the FAI side compared with the uninvolved contralateral side. CONCLUSION: Consistent with prior studies, we observed more peripheral cupping in patients with cam-type FAI than control patients without hip symptoms or radiographic signs of FAI. Interestingly, the epiphyseal tubercle height and length were smaller and the metaphyseal fossa was larger in hips with cam-type FAI, suggesting varying inner bone surface morphology of the growth plate. The docking mechanism between the epiphyseal tubercle and the metaphyseal fossa is important for epiphyseal stability, particularly at early ages when the peripheral cupping is not fully developed. An underdeveloped tubercle and a large fossa could be associated with a reduction in stability, while excessive peripheral cupping growth would be a factor related to improved physeal stability. This is further supported by observed side-to-side differences in tubercle and fossa morphology in patients with unilateral FAI. Further longitudinal studies would be worthwhile to study the causality and compensatory mechanisms related to epiphyseal and metaphyseal bony morphology in pathogenesis cam-type FAI. Such information will lay the foundation for developing imaging biomarkers to predict the risk of FAI or to monitor its progress, which are critical in clinical care planning. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, prognostic study.

Editorial Commentary: No Longer a Salvage Procedure: Allograft Labral Reconstruction of the Hip Rivals the Results of Labral Repair.

In the past 5 years, arthroscopic labral reconstruction of the hip has rapidly evolved from a salvage procedure used primarily in the setting of multiple failed prior hip surgical procedures to an alternative, and even preferable, primary treatment option for labral pathology and femoroacetabular impingement. As opposed to labral repair, labral reconstruction allows for complete removal of all damaged, pain-generating tissue; optimal correction of underlying bony impingement; and consistent creation of a graft that appropriately restores the fluid hip seal, improves pressurization and stabilization, and decreases contact pressure. Allograft tissue, in particular, allows for accurate and reliable graft length creation and does not rely on native tissue quality. Hips that undergo labral reconstruction have been shown to have positive outcomes at minimum 2-year follow-up, despite the fact that in many cases, these hips have more damage and a poorer preoperative prognosis. Patients report decreased pain, increased function, and greater quality of life after labral reconstruction, and this new evidence suggests that they can resume high-level physical activity as well. Circumferential labral reconstruction is no longer a salvage procedure and is an important tool for the hip arthroscopist; however, it requires high proficiency in hip arthroscopy to perform.

Resolving anterior hip pain in a young male footballer following arthroscopic surgery for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: A case report.

BACKGROUND: There appear to be limited studies available regarding the conservative management of patients following hip joint arthroscopic surgery, or investigating reasons for which patients still report hip and groin pain post surgery. OBJECTIVES: Treatment was applied to restore spino-pelvic mechanics and to reduce soft tissue restrictions in hip joint motion. Neuromuscular movement control and work capacity exercises were encouraged to support the integrity of the hip joint and spino-pelvic complex. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 22-year-old male footballer, (height 190cm and weight 82kg) presented reporting an eighteen-month history of hip and groin pain, having previously undergone bilateral arthroscopic surgery twelve months earlier for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome. Strength measurements were recorded using the MicroFET 2 Wireless Digital Handheld Dynamometer. Trunk muscular endurance was evaluated with Sorenson test. RESULTS: Five treatment consultations over a five-week period resulted in pain reduction, (Visual Analogue Scale 8/10 to 0/10). Improvement in range of motion, right hip flexion (70-100°) and left (80-100°), right internal rotation (30-45°) and left (40-45°). Improvement in strength, specifically right hip flexion (0.29-0.43Nm/kg, 48%) and right hip abduction (0.35-0.46Nm/kg, 31%). Improvement in trunk muscular endurance increased 41% from 170 seconds to 240 seconds. CONCLUSION: This case report supports the rationale that the post arthroscopic management of Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome, should include both treatment to address spino-pelvic restrictions, if appropriate, combined with exercises that specifically target hip flexor strength. However, a larger randomized study would provide a clearer understanding for the management of this particular subset of patients.

Impairment-Based Rehabilitation Following Hip Arthroscopy: Postoperative Protocol for the HIP ARThroscopy International Randomized Controlled Trial.

Synopsis The number of hip arthroscopies for the management of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and other hip intra-articular conditions has grown exponentially in the last decade. Postoperative rehabilitation is part of the treatment algorithm, although there is a lack of high-quality studies on the efficacy of both surgery and postoperative rehabilitation programs. It is known that impairments can be present up to 2 years after hip arthroscopy, with individuals exhibiting reduced function and quality of life when compared to those of similar age, highlighting a need to improve postoperative care. Postoperative rehabilitation programs aim to improve hip function; however, the description of interventions as well as criteria for progression are lacking in the literature. The aim of this clinical commentary was to present a targeted clinical rehabilitation approach for individuals undergoing hip arthroscopy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2018;48(4):336-342. doi:10.2519/jospt.2018.8002.

High Rate of Return to Yoga for Athletes After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) is most commonly diagnosed in patients who perform activities that require repetitive hip flexion and rotational loading. Yoga is an activity growing in popularity that involves these motions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients' ability to return to yoga after hip arthroscopy for FAIS. HYPOTHESIS: There would be a high rate of return to yoga after hip arthroscopy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4. METHODS: Consecutive patients with FAIS who had identified themselves as participating in yoga and had undergone hip arthroscopy for the treatment of FAIS between 2012 and 2015 were reviewed. Demographic data were collected and assessed for all patients, as well as preoperative physical examination, imaging, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores, including the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL) and Sports-Specific (HOS-SS) subscales, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. Postoperatively, examination and PRO data were collected at a minimum 1 year after surgery, including a yoga-specific questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 42 patients (90% female; mean age, 35 ± 9 years; mean body mass index, 23.1 ± 3.2 kg/m2) were included. Thirty patients (71%) had to discontinue their yoga routine preoperatively because of hip-related symptoms at a mean 9.5 ± 8.2 months before surgery. After surgery, 39 patients (93%) were able to return to yoga at a mean 5.3 ± 2.2 months after surgery. Two of the 3 patients who did not return to yoga noted loss of interest as their reason for stopping, while 1 patient was unable to return because of persistent hip pain. Nineteen patients (45%) returned to a higher level of yoga practice, 17 patients (40%) returned to the same level, and 3 patients (7%) returned to a lower level. There was no difference in the number of hours spent practicing yoga per week pre- and postoperatively (2.7 ± 1.9 vs 2.5 ± 1.3 hours; P = 0.44). All patients demonstrated significant improvement in all PROs as well as pain scores after surgery (HOS-ADL, 67.4 ± 18.3 to 93.1 ± 6.9 [ P < 0.001]; HOS-SS, 45.6 ± 24.7 to 81.5 ± 18.8 [ P < 0.001]; mHHS, 62.3 ± 11.3 to 86.8 ± 12.3 [ P < 0.0001]; VAS pain, 6.3 ± 2.2 to 0.90 ± 1.1 [ P < 0.001]). CONCLUSION: Patients participating in yoga return to yoga 93% of the time and at a mean 5.3 ± 2.2 months after hip arthroscopy for FAIS. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Information regarding surgical outcomes is critical in counseling patients, particularly female athletes, on their expectations with respect to returning to yoga after hip arthroscopy for FAIS.

Local Infiltration Analgesia Compared With Epidural and Intravenous PCA After Surgical Hip Dislocation for the Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Open treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) through a surgical hip dislocation (SHD) approach has been reported to allow for improvement in pain and function. However, the approach require a trochanteric osteotomy and may be associated with high level of pain after surgery. Currently, there is no systematic approach for pain management after SHD for treatment of FAI. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was used to collect data from 121 subjects (12 to 21 y and below) who received periarticular local infiltration analgesia (LIA, n=20), epidural analgesia (n=72), or intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA, n=29) after SHD from January 2003 to June 2014. Verbal pain scores, opioid consumption, incidence of side effects/complications, and length of hospital stay (LOS) were recorded. All nonopioid medications with analgesic potential were included in the statistical models as potential confounding variables RESULTS:: Twelve hours after surgery, the odds of moderate/severe pain were higher in the PCA group (odds ratio, 20.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7-243.8; P=0.0166] and epidural group (odds ratio, 5.2; 95% CI, 0.7-92.0; P=0.3218) compared with the LIA group. There was no difference in pain scores across all groups 1 hour (P=0.0675) or 24 hours (P=0.3473) postoperatively. Total opioid consumption in the LIA group was 59.8% (95% CI, 15.0%-81.0%; P=0.0175) lower than the total opioid consumption in the epidural group and 60.7% (95% CI, 17.3-81.3; P=0.0144) lower than the total opioid consumption in the PCA group. LOS was increased in the epidural (mean difference, 22.1; 95% CI, 6.8-37.4 h; P=0.0051) and PCA (mean difference, 16 h; 95% CI, 1-31.5 h; P=0.0367) groups relative to the LIA group. There was 0 (0%) complication in the LIA group compared with 11 (15.3%) in the epidural group. CONCLUSIONS: LIA was more effective at controlling pain 12 hours after surgery in comparison with PCA with similar pain control to epidural. LIA was associated with significantly lower need for opioids and shorter LOS compared with the PCA and epidural protocols. Periarticular infiltration should be considered for pain management after SHD for treatment of FAI in adolescents. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective comparative study.

[Mini-open Approach Shows Good Results in Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement]. / Mini-open-Verfahren zeigt gute Ergebnisse in der Therapie des femoroazetabulären Impingements.

Background Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) describes a painful, abnormal (bony) contact between the femoral neck and acetabulum, which, if left untreated, contributes to early osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. Despite its flat learning curve and long operation times, hip arthroscopy has been used increasingly often in recent years in the surgery of femoroacetabular impingement. The mini-open technique (MOT) offers a possible alternative that addresses the abnormal morphological prominence and allows minimally invasive clearance of hip motion. There is still a lack of information on the influence of the greater degree of soft tissue intrusion inherent to the mini-open approach. Therefore we decided to evaluate the medium-term outcome of the mini-open technique and to compare the results to those of the arthroscopic technique reported in the literature. Patients, Material und Methods 99 patients (105 hips, 40 women, 59 men) underwent mini-open surgical treatment for FAI between 2005 and 2012 and were followed-up for an average of 40.5 months. The evaluation focused on the pre- and postoperative pain intensity (NRS: numeric rating scale), the clinical and functional outcomes such as ROM (range of motion), HOS (Hip Outcome Score) and mHHS (modified Harris Hip Score), changes in athletic behaviour and the satisfaction of the patients. Radiological analysis (α-angle, anterior head-neck-offset (HNO), head-neck-offset ratio, ossification, grade of OA) was performed using preoperative, immediate postoperative as well as follow-up radiographs. Finally our results were compared to those reported for the arthroscopic technique in the literature. Results The average pain level decreased from 6.5 ± 2.3 to 2.3 ± 2.6 (p < 0.001). 80 % (84) confirmed a mean postoperative pain-free period of 29.5 months (2-103 months), and 52.4 % (55) were still almost pain-free by the time of the final follow-up. The mHHS increased from 68.2 ± 13.5 to 85.2 ± 18.2 (p < 0.001). The HOS-ADL (ADL: activities of daily life) was 82.2 % ± 19.7 and the HOS-sport was 69.7 % ± 27.9 at the final follow-up. At the time of the last follow-up, 93 % of the preoperatively active patients (n = 84) returned to athletic activities (n = 78). In a comparison of athletic behaviour, significantly fewer patients were performing high-impact and more patients were performing low-impact sports after surgery. Flexion (113°±16 to 117°±16) and internal rotation (12°±8 to 25°±12) improved significantly. α-angle reduction from 62°±11 to 42°± 9 (p < 0.01) was observed. The HNO increased from 3.8 mm ± 3.2 to 10.7 mm ± 3.2. In 17.6 % of the cases, progression of OA was noticed. Patients with initial OA Kellgren ≥ 2 showed significantly worse outcome than those without OA. Conclusion MOT is a safe and effective alternative for treating FAI. It leads to recovery of pain-free hip function in short- and medium-term follow-up and allows a return to practicing sports in most cases. Patients with preoperative OA ≥ 2 seem to experience insufficient gains from MO surgery, so surgeons should be reluctant to apply the technique under these circumstances.

The use of manual therapy post-hip arthroscopy when an exercise-based therapy approach has failed: a case report.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. BACKGROUND: Although there is a growing body of literature on both surgical intervention and postsurgical rehabilitation of acetabular labral repairs and femoroacetabular impingement, there is a paucity of information on how to manage individuals who show a lack of progress postsurgery. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 30-year-old woman underwent surgical labral repair with femoroacetabular impingement osteochondroplasty. Postsurgery, she was initially treated with an exercise-based approach, but experienced an increase in hip pain and further decline in function. Her primary functional deficits were difficulty standing and pain (6/10) with ambulation. A combination of soft tissue mobilization and trigger point dry needling was used to address perceived muscle dysfunction, and nonthrust manipulation was used to address perceived hip joint hypomobility. OUTCOMES: Following 12 therapy sessions over 120 days, the patient returned to her demanding occupation with minimal residual symptoms. By the end of the period of care, the patient's Harris hip score had improved from 56 to 96 and her Lower Extremity Functional Scale score had improved from 26 to 70. DISCUSSION: This case describes a multimodal manual therapy approach and the health outcomes of a patient following labral repair with femoroacetabular impingement decompression who did not respond to an initial exercise-based postsurgical rehabilitation approach. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 4.

Efficacy of a physiotherapy rehabilitation program for individuals undergoing arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement - the FAIR trial: a randomised controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Femoroacetabular impingement is a common cause of hip/groin symptoms and impaired functional performance in younger sporting populations and results from morphological abnormalities of the hip in which the proximal femur abuts against the acetabular rim. Many people with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement undergo arthroscopic hip surgery to correct the bony abnormalities. While many case series over the past decade have reported favourable surgical outcomes, it is not known whether formal rehabilitation is needed as part of the management of patients undergoing this surgical procedure. This randomised controlled trial will investigate the efficacy of a progressive physiotherapist-supervised rehabilitation program (Takla-O'Donnell Protocol) in improving health-related quality of life, physical function and symptoms in individuals undergoing arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement. METHODS/DESIGN: 100 people aged 16-35 years undergoing hip arthroscopy for symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement will be recruited from surgical practices in Melbourne, Australia and randomly allocated to either a physiotherapy or control group. Both groups will receive written information and one standardised post-operative physiotherapy visit whilst in hospital as per usual care. Those in the physiotherapy group will also receive seven individual 30-minute physiotherapy sessions, including one pre-operative visit (within 2 weeks of surgery) and six post-operative visits at fortnightly intervals (commencing two weeks after surgery). The physiotherapy intervention will incorporate education and advice, manual techniques and prescription of a progressive rehabilitation program including home, aquatic and gym exercises. The control group will not receive additional physiotherapy management. Measurements will be taken at baseline (2 weeks pre-operatively) and at 14 and 24 weeks post-surgery. Primary outcomes are the International Hip Outcome Tool and the sports subscale of the Hip Outcome Score at 14 weeks post-surgery. Secondary outcomes include the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score, the activities of daily living subscale of the Hip Outcome Score, the Heidelberg Sports Activity Score, a modified Tegner Activity Scale and participant-perceived overall change. DISCUSSION: The findings from this randomised controlled trial will provide evidence for the efficacy of a specific physiotherapist-supervised rehabilitation program in improving outcomes following arthroscopic management of symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry reference number: ACTRN12613000282785.