The Readability of Online Educational Materials for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome

Although the readability of online materials has been thoroughly studied across different orthopaedic surgery disorders, inadequacy in information exists regarding the readability of the websites pertaining to femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Given its high prevalence and the importance of providing appropriate online education materials in its prognosis, the primary aim of this study was to assess the readability of web-based patient education materials regarding this disease. "Femoroacetabular impingement," "FAI," and "hip impingement" were used as search queries in this study. Readability was evaluated based on five established algorithms, and the readability of contents was compared by website type and also search query. In this study of 59 unique websites on FAI, using five different validated readability formulas, we demonstrated that none of the top 30 webpages were written at the recommended reading level. They were found through three different search queries on the three most used search engines. Current FAI online education materials accessible to patients are written above the recommended levels, and it seems that to improve equity and accessibility in healthcare, universities, hospitals, and healthcare professional societies have a responsibility to ensure that the online materials are provided at more appropriate levels. Early detection and treatment of FAI play a key role in preventing the progression to hip osteoarthritis. Thus, providing appropriate online education materials is of great importance in this prevention by increasing patients' understanding of the disease and the advantages and disadvantages of the treatment options.