Is There a Gender Gap in Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement? Assessment of Clinically Meaningful Improvements in a Prospective Cohort

Abstract

Background: Although patients have experienced significant improvements after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), prior studies suggest that women have worse outcomes than men. These previous studies lack comparisons of patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores based on gender with respect to clinical significance measurements, including the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS). Purpose: To evaluate outcomes after hip arthroscopy for FAI based on patient gender by prospectively assessing changes in PRO scores, MCID, and PASS. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Women and men undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI were prospectively enrolled, and preoperative radiographic and intraoperative findings were collected. Patients completed the following PRO surveys before surgery and 2 years postoperatively: modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey. Mean scores and percentage of patients reaching MCID and PASS were analyzed. Results: A total of 131 hips were included (72 women, 59 men). Women had smaller preoperative alpha angles (59.1° vs 63.7°, respectively; P