Predictors of Achieving the Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State (PASS) at Minimum 5-Year Follow-up Following Primary Hip Arthroscopy in the Adolescent Athlete
Authors: Jimenez AE, Glein RM, Owens JS, Lee MS, Maldonado DR, Saks BR, Lall AC, Domb BG
DOI: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000002022
Background
The Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State (PASS) is a validated threshold representing the level at which patients consider their symptoms acceptable postoperatively. Identifying predictors of achieving PASS is critical for guiding treatment expectations and optimizing postoperative management in adolescent athletes undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS).
Methods
This retrospective cohort study evaluated adolescent athletes who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for FAIS. Patient-reported outcome measures and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at 2 years post-op were analyzed as potential predictors for achieving PASS at a minimum 5-year follow-up.
Key Findings
- Patients with VAS pain scores ≤2 at 2 years were significantly more likely to achieve PASS at 5 years.
- Superior functional scores at the 2-year mark correlated with improved long-term symptomatic acceptability.
- Early pain relief and functional improvement are strong prognostic indicators for sustained clinical success.
Conclusions
Early postoperative improvements, particularly reduced pain and enhanced function at 2 years, are predictive of long-term patient satisfaction in adolescent athletes following hip arthroscopy.
What Does This Mean for Providers?
- Emphasize close monitoring of pain and functional status during early postoperative follow-up to identify patients at risk for suboptimal long-term outcomes.
- Intervene promptly to address persistent pain or functional deficits within the first two years post-op to maximize the likelihood of achieving PASS at 5 years.
- Use early outcome data to inform patient counseling regarding prognosis and recovery expectations.