Evolution of Hip Muscles Strength in Femoroacetabular Impingement Patients Treated by Arthroscopy or Surgical Hip Dislocation: A Retrospective Exploratory Study

Hip Arthroscopy Followed by 6-Month Rehabilitation Leads to Improved Periarticular Muscle Strength, Except for Abductors and External Rotators

Purpose

To evaluate the variations in hip muscles strength following arthroscopy and 6-month rehabilitation in patients treated for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was carried out on a series of patients who were arthroscopically treated for FAI at La Tour Hospital between 2020 and 2022. Bilateral isometric strengths of 8 hip-related muscles (abductors, adductors, hamstrings, quadriceps, extensors, flexors, internal and external rotators) were assessed using a handheld dynamometer before surgery and postoperatively after 6 months of rehabilitation in terms of relative strength changes between time points.

Results

A total of 29 patients (aged 26.9 ± 7.1 years, 86% of women) were included. Except for the abductors, which remained of comparable strength than before surgery, a statistically significant (P < .05) increase in hip muscle strength on the operated side could be noted at 6 postoperative months for hamstrings (9% ± 17%, P = .041), quadriceps (11% ± 27%, P = .045), extensors (17% ± 32%, P = .006), flexors (17% ± 29%, P = .003), adductors (18% ± 23%, P < .001), and internal rotators (32% ± 36%, P < .001). The proportion of patients who reached a strength level above their preoperative status ranged from 62% (quadriceps) to 86% (adductors and flexors), depending on the muscle studied. The external rotators were the only muscles that remained significantly weakened at 6 months on both operated (-13% ± 26%, P = .002) and nonoperated (-17% ± 25%, P < .001) sides, with a decrease beyond 15% in almost half of the patients (45% and 48%, respectively).

Conclusions

Arthroscopic treatment followed by 6-month rehabilitation granted to most FAI patients a higher strength level for several hip muscles, except for abductors and external rotators, which remained comparable and weakened, respectively.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Editorial to the Special Issue “Human Bodywork: Applications in Health, Disease, and Rehabilitation”

In this research topic, the question concerning how the human body functions through the musculoskeletal system was addressed [...]