Hip muscle strength recovery after hip arthroscopy in a series of patients with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement

Purpose: The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate hip muscle strength in a series of patients with symptomatic FAI after hip arthroscopy. Methods: Hip muscle strength of eight patients (age: 29 +/- 10 years) was evaluated preoperatively and 2.5 years after hip arthroscopy, and was compared to eight matched controls. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) strength was measured for all hip muscle groups. At follow-up, we used the symptom-specific well-being outcome to assess the acceptability of the health state related to the hip. Results: Patients showed MVC strength increases for all hip muscles (9-59%, P<.05). At follow-up, only hip flexor MVC strength was lower for patients than controls (-18%, P<.05). At follow-up, four patients (out of eight) were "neither satisfied nor dissatisfied" with the health state of their operated hip. Conclusions: Patients with symptomatic FAI recovered their hip muscle strength to normal levels 2.5 years after hip arthroscopy, except for hip flexors. Although all patients showed good hip muscle strength at follow-up, half of them were not completely satisfied with their health state related to the hip.