Recovery After Hip Arthroscopy in Patients With Combined Femoroacetabular Impingement and Labral Tears Compared With Isolated Pathology

BACKGROUND: Outcomes for patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) treated with hip arthroscopy can differ depending on whether there is underlying intra-articular pathology. PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of patients after undergoing hip arthroscopy depending on their underlying pathology (isolated FAI, isolated labral tear, or combined FAI and a labral tear) using the 12-Item International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT–12). STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 75 patients diagnosed with FAI with or without labral tears and isolated labral tears who underwent hip arthroscopy performed by the same surgeon at a single institution from January 2014 to December 2019 were included in this study. All patients had at least 2 years of follow-up data. Patients were divided into 3 groups as follows: patients with FAI and an intact labrum; patients with an isolated labral tear; and patients with combined FAI and a labral tear. The iHOT–12 scores at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 18, and >24 months postoperatively were compared and analyzed. Outcome scores were also evaluated in terms of the substantial clinical benefit (SCB) and the patient-acceptable symptomatic state (PASS). RESULTS: Of 75 patients who underwent hip arthroscopy, 14 had FAI, 23 had labral tears, and 38 had both. All groups showed significant improvements on the iHOT–12 from preoperative to the final follow-up (FAI, from 37.64 ± 3.77 to 93.64 ± 1.50; labral tear, from 33.70 ± 3.55 to 93 ± 1.24; combined, from 28.55 ± 3.15 to 93.03 ± 0.88) (P < .001 for all). However, compared with other groups, the patients with FAI and a labral tear had lower scores at 1.5, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (P < .001), highlighting a slower rate of recovery. For all groups, recovery to normal function according to the SCB was 100% at 12 months, and satisfaction according to the PASS was 100% at 18 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The final iHOT–12 scores were similar at 18 months regardless of the pathology treated; however, patients with FAI and a labral tear took longer to reach their plateau.