Correlation between Intensity of Pain and Disability Due to Intra-articular Lesions in Patients with Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome

Objective To correlate radiographic alterations and lesions in intra-articular structures of the acetabulum with the intensity of pain and disability of patients diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. Methods A retrospective analysis of the preoperative data of 182 patients (190 hips) was performed. Clinical variables such as age, gender, the practice of physical activity, and radiographic variables, such as the Wiberg and alpha angles, were evaluated. Through an intraoperative video, the extent of the chondral and labial lesions was evaluated considering the clock-face method, the degree of joint involvement by the Outerbridge classification, and the presence of wave lesions. The variables were analyzed by linear regression, with the intensity of the pain assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and functional disability measured by the Modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). Results The mean age of the patients was of 38.5 ± 9.6 years, the mean intensity of the pain was of 7.8 ± 1.6, and the mean mHHS score was of 56.3 ± 12.7. In total, 61% of the sample were classified as Outerbridge III or IV, and 12.6% had wave lesions. There was a correlation between the male gender (r = 0.497) and lower intensity of the pain, and a correlation of age (r = -0.27), the male gender (r = 8.419) and physical activity with higher functional scores on the mHHS (r = 4.729). Conclusion There was no correlation of the radiographic and arthroscopic parameters of the present study and the intensity of pain and the disability of the patients. The male gender is related to lower intensity of pain, and higher functional ability is related to the male gender, lower age, and the practice of physical activity. Level of Evidence IV.