Basketball Players Undergoing Primary Hip Arthroscopy Exhibit Higher Grades of Acetabular Cartilage Damage but Achieve Favorable Midterm Outcomes and Return to Sports Rates Comparable With a Propensity-Matched Group of Other Cutting Sports Athletes
Authors: Owens JS, Jimenez AE, Lee MS, Hawkins GC, Maldonado DR, Domb BG
Journal: Am J Sports Med, June 2022
DOI: 10.1177/03635465221092762
Background
Basketball is a high-demand sport that may predispose athletes to greater hip joint degeneration. This study evaluated whether basketball players undergoing primary hip arthroscopy for FAIS have different outcomes compared to other athletes in cutting sports (e.g., soccer, lacrosse, tennis).
Methods
- 28 basketball players were propensity matched with cutting sport athletes based on demographics and preoperative pathology.
- PROMs and RTS rates were assessed at a minimum 5-year follow-up.
- Intraoperative cartilage and labral damage were graded and compared.
Key Findings
- Basketball players had more severe acetabular cartilage damage than matched peers.
- Despite this, they achieved similar midterm PROM improvements and RTS rates (≥80%).
- Functional gains and MCID/PASS achievement rates were comparable between cohorts.
Conclusions
Basketball players can achieve favorable outcomes after hip arthroscopy, even when presenting with more advanced cartilage damage.
What Does This Mean for Providers
- Severity of intra-articular damage in basketball players should not preclude them from hip arthroscopy.
- Postoperative outcomes and RTS expectations can be similar to those of athletes in other high-demand sports.
- Surgeons should anticipate advanced chondral pathology but can still expect good functional recovery and sport resumption.