Does capsular closure influence patient-reported outcomes in hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement and labral tear?

Capsulotomy is necessary to facilitate instrument manoeuvrability within the joint capsule in many arthroscopic hip surgical procedures. In cases where a clear indication for capsular closure does not exist, surgeon’s preference and experience often determines capsular management. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of capsular closure on clinical outcome scores and satisfaction in patients who underwent hip arthroscopy surgery for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and labral tear. Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed for hip arthroscopy surgeries with a minimum 2 years follow-up. Patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip, previous back or hip surgeries, and degenerative changes to this hip and secondary gains were excluded. Demographic data, intraoperative findings and patient-reported outcome scores were recorded, including the Modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS) and Hip Outcome Score (HOS). A total of 29 and 35 patients were included in the non-closure and closure groups, respectively. The mean follow-up time was over 3 years for both groups. The mean pre-operative and post-operative HOS scores and MHHS scores did not significantly differ between groups (pre-operative HOS: 65.6 and 66.3, P = 0.898; post-operative HOS: 85.4 and 87.2, P = 0.718; pre-operative MHHS: 63.2 and 58.4, P = 0.223; post-operative MHHS: 85.7 and 88.7, P = 0.510). Overall patient satisfaction did not differ significantly between groups (non-closure 86.3%, closure group 88.6%; P = 0.672). Capsular closure did not significantly influence satisfaction or clinical outcome scores in patients who underwent arthroscopic hip surgery for FAI or labral tear.