A comprehensive five-phase rehabilitation programme after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement

Purpose: Recent advancements in the understanding of hip biomechanics have led to the development of techniques to remove bony impingement and repair and/or preserve the labrum during hip arthroscopy. Although much attention in the literature is devoted to diagnosis and treatment, there is little information about post-operative rehabilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to (1) provide a five-phase rehabilitation protocol following arthroscopic treatment for FAI and (2) report clinical and functional outcomes of patients following this protocol at minimum 1-year follow-up, in order to provide the surgeon and therapist with a protocol that is supported by clinical data. Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing hip arthroscopy and subsequent five-phase rehabilitation protocol at a single institution from 1 April 2011 to 1 April 2012 were analysed. Inclusion criteria were as follows: no prior ipsilateral hip surgery, completion of the five-phase rehabilitation protocol, minimum 1-year follow-up, and documented outcome scores. Prospective outcomes were assessed with modified Harris hip score (MHHS) and hip outcome score (HOS). Results: Fifty-two patients (19 male and 33 female) met the inclusion criteria with a median age of 42 (range 16-59) years. Mean MHHS, HOS-ADL, and HOS-sport scores at a mean 12.5 (range 12-15) months were 80.1 ± 19.9 (0-100), 83.6 ± 19.2 (13.2-100), and 70.3 ± 27.0 (0-100), respectively. Conclusion: This five-phase rehabilitation programme provides a framework where progression from surgery to increasing post-operative activity level can take place in a predictable manner. Patients following this rehabilitation protocol after hip arthroscopy demonstrated satisfactory clinical and functional outcomes, validating its implementation. Level of evidence: Case series, Level IV.