Is the Femoral-Epiphyseal Acetabular Roof (FEAR) index associated with hip pain in patients with hip dysplasia?

BACKGROUND

Micro instability of the hip joint has been suggested to cause pain in patients with hip dysplasia. Recently, the Femoral-Epiphyseal Acetabular Roof (FEAR) index has been developed to evaluate hip instability in patients with dysplasia.

PURPOSE

To investigate associations between the FEAR index and patient-reported outcomes before and six months after periacetabular osteotomy (PAO).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Radiographs of patients with hip dysplasia who underwent PAO between 2018 and 2020 were retrospectively assessed by a radiologist and an orthopedic surgeon. Radiographic measurements indicative of hip instability (Shenton's line, FEAR index, center-edge angle of Wiberg, acetabular index of Tönnis, and the femoral neck-shaft angle) were measured. Data on hip pain, function, and quality of life were collected prospectively using the Hip dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS).

RESULTS

A total of 222 patients were included in the study. All radiographic measurements and patient-reported outcomes improved significantly from preoperative to six months postoperative ( < 0.001). There were no differences in the change score of patient-reported outcomes between patients with a FEAR index >2° (indicative of hip instability) and patients with a FEAR index ≤2°.

CONCLUSION

The FEAR index was not associated with hip pain, function, and quality of life among patients with hip dysplasia. This study did not find evidence supporting that instability defined by the FEAR index caused pain in patients with hip dysplasia.