Our Summary

This study aimed to see if the size of a part of the hip called the labrum could predict whether a certain type of hip surgery (arthroscopic hip labral repair) would fail, or if it would affect how patients felt after surgery. The researchers looked at the medical records of patients who had this surgery and measured the size of their labrum in four different ways. They then compared these measurements to how well the patients did after surgery - whether they needed more surgery, how much their symptoms improved, and whether they felt their symptoms were tolerable.

The study included 571 patients. They found that the size of the labrum didn’t seem to affect whether the patient needed more surgery, or how much their symptoms improved. However, patients with labrum sizes in the largest 10% did show less improvement in two of the scoring systems used to measure outcomes.

In conclusion, the study found that for most patients, the size of the labrum doesn’t seem to significantly affect how they feel after surgery or whether they will need more surgery. However, those with larger labra may see less improvement. More research is needed to confirm these findings.

FAQs

  1. Does the size of the labrum affect the success of arthroscopic hip labral repair?
  2. How was the size of the labrum measured in this study?
  3. Do patients with larger labra see less improvement after arthroscopic hip labral repair?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about labral repair is to follow post-operative instructions carefully, including physical therapy exercises and restrictions on certain activities to ensure the best possible outcome. It’s also important to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms with your healthcare provider to address any issues promptly.

Suitable For

Typically, patients who are recommended for labral repair surgery are those who have hip pain, clicking or locking in the hip joint, limited range of motion, and difficulty with activities such as walking or climbing stairs. Labral tears can occur due to trauma or injury, hip impingement, or degenerative changes in the hip joint. Patients who have tried conservative treatments such as physical therapy, rest, and medication without improvement may be candidates for labral repair surgery.

Timeline

Before labral repair:

  1. Patient experiences hip pain, clicking, locking, or instability
  2. Patient undergoes physical examination, imaging tests (such as MRI or X-ray), and possibly a diagnostic hip injection
  3. Diagnosis of labral tear is confirmed
  4. Patient discusses treatment options with their orthopedic surgeon, including arthroscopic hip labral repair

After labral repair:

  1. Patient undergoes arthroscopic hip labral repair surgery
  2. Patient goes through post-operative recovery period, including physical therapy and pain management
  3. Patient gradually resumes normal activities and exercises to strengthen the hip joint
  4. Patient follows up with their surgeon for post-operative appointments and monitoring of progress
  5. Patient assesses their symptoms and functional improvement after surgery
  6. Patient may need additional surgery or further treatment if symptoms persist or worsen

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. Can you explain to me what exactly a labral repair surgery entails?
  2. How do you determine if I am a candidate for arthroscopic hip labral repair surgery?
  3. What are the potential risks and complications associated with this surgery?
  4. How long is the recovery process typically and what can I expect in terms of pain and mobility?
  5. Will I need physical therapy after the surgery? If so, for how long?
  6. How will the size of my labrum affect the outcome of the surgery?
  7. Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions I should take post-surgery to ensure the best possible outcome?
  8. What is the success rate of this surgery in terms of relieving pain and improving function?
  9. How often do patients need additional surgery after undergoing labral repair?
  10. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures that I should consider before opting for labral repair surgery?

Reference

Authors: Brinkman JC, Domb BG, Krych AJ, Levy BA, Makovicka JL, Neville M, Hartigan DE. Journal: Arthroscopy. 2020 Aug;36(8):2147-2157. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2020.04.022. Epub 2020 Apr 27. PMID: 32353623