Introduction
Setting appropriate expectations for orthopedic surgery functional outcomes can contribute to postoperative motivation and satisfaction. For hip arthroscopy, the literature is limited regarding patients’ expectations for returning to sport. This study aims to compare preoperative expectations with postoperative return-to-sport status in patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy.
Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy. Return to sport expectations were recorded preoperatively. Return to preinjury sport status was assessed along with updated sport expectations at a minimum of 1 year follow-up after surgery (range 1.1 to 2.6 years; mean 2.0 years). The proportion of patients who expected to return was compared to actual return rates.
Results
Thirty-five patients underwent hip arthroscopy. Preoperatively, 31 patients (88.6%) expected to return to their preinjury sport level, while only 16 (45.7%) actually returned to that level. 34 (97.1%) expected to return to their main sport and 22 (62.9%) actually returned. 9/35 returned to their preinjury primary sport at a lower level. 10/35 patients had completely given up their original sport by time of follow-up. All 11 patients who reported a change in their primary sport chose a lower impact sport, transitioning from tennis, running, kickboxing, frisbee, volleyball to cycling, pilates, walking, and yoga. Logistical regression found no significant difference between expectations and return to sport level when controlling for age, BMI, gender.
Conclusion
This study found a significant difference between preinjury return-to-sport expectations and actual return rates following hip surgery. Although patients had high expectations for recovery, a majority did not return to their preinjury sport level and a high portion did not return at all. All patients that took up a different sport went from one of high impact to low impact. These data can provide more realistic return-to-sport expectations for patients undergoing hip arthroscopy.