Our Summary

This study looked at the effects of a specific type of hip surgery, called arthroscopic repair, on patients with a specific type of hip injury, called an isolated labral tear. The researchers used a tool called the iHOT-33 to measure how well patients were doing after the surgery. The iHOT-33 looks at four areas: 1) symptoms and limitations in function, 2) limitations in sports and recreation, 3) concerns related to jobs and social life, and 4) emotional and lifestyle concerns.

The researchers looked at 45 surgeries performed on 43 patients between 2012 and 2015. Two of the patients had this type of hip injury on both sides. The study did not include patients who were younger than 18, had other hip surgeries before, or had certain types of hip abnormalities.

Of the 43 patients, 29 had the surgery on their right hip and 16 on their left. The majority were female (34), and the average age at surgery was 37.4 years. They followed up with the patients after an average of 1.7 years.

The study found that, on average, patients’ iHOT-33 scores improved significantly after the surgery, indicating they were doing better in the four areas measured by the tool. The study concluded that this type of surgery can lead to positive outcomes for patients with this type of hip injury, based on the patients’ own reports of their conditions.

FAQs

  1. What is the International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-33) used for in this study?
  2. What were the criteria for patient exclusion in this study about isolated labral tear repair?
  3. What improvements were observed in the study for patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for an isolated labral tear?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might give a patient after labral repair surgery is to follow the prescribed rehabilitation program diligently. This may include physical therapy exercises to strengthen the hip muscles and improve range of motion. Compliance with the rehabilitation program can greatly impact the success of the surgery and improve overall outcomes.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for labral repair are those who have isolated labral tears without underlying femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), hip dysplasia, or other bony dysmorphism. These patients may experience symptoms such as hip pain, limited range of motion, and difficulty with daily activities, sports, and recreational activities. In this study, the patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of isolated labral tears had significant improvements in their symptoms and functional limitations, as well as improvements in sport and recreation limitations, job-related concerns, and emotional and lifestyle concerns. These findings suggest that labral repair can be beneficial for selected patients with isolated labral tears.

Timeline

Before labral repair:

  • Patient experiences hip pain, clicking, locking, or instability
  • Patient may undergo physical examination, imaging studies (such as MRI), and possibly diagnostic hip injection
  • Patient may try conservative treatments such as physical therapy, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications

After labral repair:

  • Patient undergoes arthroscopic repair of the isolated labral tear
  • Patient undergoes post-operative rehabilitation and physical therapy
  • Patient gradually resumes normal activities and sports
  • Patient reports improvements in symptoms, functional limitations, sport and recreation limitations, job related concerns, social and emotional lifestyle concerns
  • Follow-up evaluations show significant improvements in iHOT-33 scores, indicating successful outcomes from the surgery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is the success rate of labral repair surgery for patients with an isolated labral tear?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with labral repair surgery?
  3. What is the expected recovery time and rehabilitation process after labral repair surgery?
  4. Will I need to modify my daily activities or sports participation after the surgery?
  5. How will the surgery impact my long-term hip function and mobility?
  6. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider before undergoing labral repair surgery?
  7. How frequently will follow-up appointments be needed after the surgery?
  8. What are the chances of the labral tear reoccurring in the future?
  9. Are there any specific exercises or physical therapy recommendations to help with recovery and prevent future hip issues?
  10. How will the surgery impact my overall quality of life and physical function?

Reference

Authors: Renouf J, Pergaminelis N, Tran P, Fary C, Tirosh O. Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019 May 13;20(1):210. doi: 10.1186/s12891-019-2611-3. PMID: 31084619