2025 ISAKOS Biennial Congress Paper
Favorable Long Term Outcomes and Return to Sport after Hip Arthroscopy in Elite Female Athletes
Elizabeth G. Walsh, BS, Des Plaines, Illinois UNITED STATES
Matthew J. Strok, BA, Des Plaines, IL UNITED STATES
Allison Mack, PA-C, MPH, MS, Des Plaines, Illinois UNITED STATES
Ady Haim Kahana Rojkind, MD, Des Plaines, IL UNITED STATES
Roger Quesada Jimenez, MD, Des Plaines, Illinois UNITED STATES
Benjamin G. Domb, MD, Des Plaines, Illinois UNITED STATES
American Hip Institute Research Foundation, Des Plaines, Illinois, UNITED STATES
FDA Status Cleared
Summary
Elite female athletes undergoing primary hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome demonstrate favorable long-term patient-reported outcome scores and a high return to sport.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to report minimum 10-year patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores, return to sport (RTS), and continuation of sport (CTS) for elite female athletes undergoing primary hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). A secondary aim of this study is to compare these clinical outcomes to a matched control group of elite male athletes.
Methods
Data was prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed for elite (collegiate or professional) female athletes who underwent primary hip arthroscopy between November 2009 and March 2014. Athletes were included in the study if they had preoperative and minimum 10-year data for one of the following PROs; modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score-Sport Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain; or a documented endpoint. Exclusion criteria included Tonnis grade >1, previous ipsilateral hip surgery/condition, unwilling to participate, and age >40. Elite female athletes were propensity matched 1:1 to elite male athletes based on age, body mass index (BMI), Tonnis Grade, LCEA, follow-up time, and competition level.
Results
A total of 43 hips of elite female athletes, with a mean age of 24.2 ± 7.0 and BMI of 23.4 ± 4.0, met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Significant improvement (p > 0.001) was seen for all evaluated PROs and a mean patient satisfaction of 8.5 ± 1.7. 80.6% elite female athletes were able to RTS. When comparing to a control group of elite male athletes, 27 elite female athletes matched to 27 elite male athletes. No significant difference between the two groups was observed for preoperative and long-term PROs.
Conclusion
Elite female athletes undergoing primary hip arthroscopy for FAIS demonstrate favorable long-term PRO scores and a high RTS. These results were comparable to a propensity-matched control group of elite male athletes.