Outcomes for Hip Arthroscopy for Femoral Acetabular Impingement, Based on Gender and Age

There was an excellent article published in the American Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery in May, 2016, by Dr. Rachel Frank, at a Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. The study looks at patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoral acetabular impingement (FAI).

This study was performed by a single fellowship trained surgeon. The patients were divided into groups based on age and gender. This included a group of females younger than 30 years, females age 30 to 35 years, and female patients older than 45 years. They used similar groupings for the male patients.

The researchers found that all of the patients older than 45 years of age scored significantly worse on outcome scores compared to the younger patients. While all patients had significant improvements in outcomes following hip arthroscopy, when comparing the groups, the patients older than 45 years of age performed worse than the younger patients. Female patients older than 45 years of age demonstrated the lowest outcome scores.

Based on the research findings, the authors concluded that care must be individualized to optimize outcome as far as hip arthroscopy for femoral acetabular impingement. And females over age 45 should be a group that is looked at carefully prior to performing hip arthroscopy for femoral acetabular impingement.

Four Principle Findings Following Hip Arthroscopy:

1. All patients, regardless of age or gender, have significant improvement in outcomes following hip arthroscopy for femoral acetabular impingement.
2. Patients older than 45 years perform worse compared with patients in younger age groups. Females patients older than 45 years of age demonstrated the poorest outcome scores.
3. Age and gender were found to be significantly independent predictors of patient reported outcome scores with older age being the most influential predictor of poor scores.
4. Utilize surgical techniques that result in chondral labral fixation and impingement free motion while providing a stable, anatomical capsuloligament repair. Patients 45 years of age or younger perform equally well in both genders following hip arthroscopy for femoral acetabular dysplasia.

For more information about femoral acetabular impingement syndrome (FAI), hip arthroscopy and other recent orthopedic news, call Dr. Grossfeld’s office today at 502-212-2663.