Evaluating the Impact of Capsular Closure on Clinical Outcomes, Revision Rates, and Return to Sports in Adolescent Females Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement.

BACKGROUND

Young female patients undergoing hip arthroscopy have an increased prevalence of baseline capsular laxity of the hip joint. This laxity, along with superimposed postoperative iatrogenic capsular deficiency secondary to an unrepaired capsule, could potentially lead to worse outcomes after arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in this population.

PURPOSE

To compare outcomes and revision rates for young female patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI and labral tear with capsular closure (CC group) versus capsular nonclosure (CNC group).

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A retrospective review of prospectively collected data of patients who underwent index hip arthroscopy using interportal capsulotomies by a single surgeon between January 2014 and February 2020 was performed. Female patients aged 12 to 21 years who underwent hip arthroscopy with cam or pincer osteoplasty and labral repair with a 2-year minimum follow-up were included. The Beighton score was assessed. The Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL) and Hip Outcome Score-Sport-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS) were obtained preoperatively and at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and Fisher exact test.

RESULTS

A total of 23 hips (20 patients) were included in the CC group and 17 hips (16 patients) were included in the CNC group. The groups were not different regarding characteristics and preoperative patient-reported outcome scores. At all follow-up intervals postoperatively, the CC group scored significantly higher HOS-ADL and HOS-SSS. Fifteen of 17 (88.2%) patients in the CC group returned to sports versus 8 of 14 (57.1%) in the CNC group ( = .03). Four (17.4%) hips in the CC group had revision surgery compared with 9 (52.9%) hips in the CNC group (odds ratio, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.2-22.5; = .02).

CONCLUSION

Young female patients treated with CC while undergoing arthroscopic FAI had improved outcomes, fewer revisions, and a higher return-to-sports rate than those treated without CC.