Abstract
Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome (FAIS) is a prevalent source of hip pain in active young adults. Although it can be managed with hip preservation surgery, functional limitations and physical impairments can remain post-arthroscopic surgery. Whist utilisation of telehealth has grown exponentially, there is a paucity of literature on hip tele-assessment measuring the effects of hip arthroscopic surgery. This study aimed to investigate patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), hip range of motion (ROM) and functional performance following FAIS arthroscopic surgery, utilising tele-assessment technology. The primary outcome targeted differences in measures at 6-months in participants post-surgery for FAIS and in a cohort of healthy controls. Participants required radiographic confirmation of either cam or pincer impingement, or combined morphology; symptoms of hip pain; a positive clinical test (flexion-adduction-internal rotation (FADIR) pain provocation test); and were scheduled for surgery. Outcome measures were conducted over Zoom and assessed in the surgical group pre-surgery (baseline), and 6-weeks, 12-weeks and 6-months post-surgery. Healthy controls were included if they had no history of hip pain/injury or surgery, no history of lower limb injuries in the last three months, and a negative FADIR test; their assessment was recorded over Zoom. Primary PROMs included iHOT-33, HAGOS and HOS; physical measures included hip ROM (hip flexion in supine, hip internal rotation (prone and sitting), and external rotation (prone and sitting)) calculated using a video analysis software Tracker. Functional measures included the 30-second Chair Stand Test (30s CST), and the modified Copenhagen adductor squeeze test. Fifteen FAIS participants (nfemale=4) and fifteen healthy participants (nfemale=4) were included in this pilot study. Hip mean range of motion improved, with statistically significant changes in internal rotation in sitting (p=0.016), flexion in supine (p<0,001) and all PROMS post-surgery. However, statistically significant differences in the 30s CST (p<0.001) and internal rotation in sitting (p=0.025) were still present in FAIS participants 6-months post-surgery compared to healthy controls. Whilst ranges of motion and functional performance measures were restored after-surgery, evidence of differences at 6-months in the FAIS population remain. This study suggests telehealth is a suitable tool that can provide measures of hip ROM and functional performance following arthroscopic surgery.