Equality in Hip Arthroscopy Outcomes Can Be Achieved Regardless of Patient Socioeconomic Status
Authors: Saks BR, Ouyang VW, Domb ES, Jimenez AE, Maldonado DR, Lall AC, Domb BG
DOI: 10.1177/03635465211046932
Background
Socioeconomic status (SES) is often considered a barrier to equitable healthcare access and outcomes. This study evaluated whether SES influences patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) and labral tears.
Methods
Patients undergoing hip arthroscopy from 2008 to 2017 were grouped by the Social Deprivation Index (SDI), a metric of socioeconomic disadvantage, and followed for at least 2 years.
Key Findings
No significant differences were found in PROs—including pain relief and satisfaction—among SES groups. All groups showed similar rates of clinically meaningful improvement after surgery.
Conclusions
SES does not impact functional or pain-related outcomes following hip arthroscopy. Patients across socioeconomic backgrounds can expect comparable benefits from surgery.
What Does This Mean for Providers?
- Providers should be reassured that hip arthroscopy can deliver equitable outcomes across diverse socioeconomic populations.
- Efforts to improve access and reduce barriers are critical, but once care is delivered, SES may not influence postoperative recovery or satisfaction.
- This supports prioritizing hip arthroscopy as an effective intervention regardless of patients’ socioeconomic background.