Return to Basketball After Hip Arthroscopy: Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Chen AW, Craig MJ, Mu BH, Go CC, Ortiz-Declet V, Maldonado DR, Domb BG
DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2019.04.029
Background
- Basketball athletes frequently present with intra-articular hip pathology amenable to arthroscopic intervention. This study evaluates return-to-sport (RTS) rates and functional outcomes post-arthroscopy with minimum 2-year follow-up.
Methods
- A cohort of 31 basketball players (mean age 29.6 years) undergoing hip arthroscopy was followed for an average of 47 months, with RTS, patient-reported outcomes, and conversion to THA analyzed.
Key Findings
- 83.9% returned to basketball, and 74.2% reported performance equal to or better than pre-injury levels.
- Three players eventually required conversion to THA—notably, these patients were over age 40.
- Overall, substantial improvements were seen in pain, function, and sport-specific performance metrics.
Conclusions
- Hip arthroscopy demonstrates high RTS rates in basketball players under 40, with low complication and revision rates in the short-to-mid term.
- Age appears to be a predictive factor for THA conversion, particularly in those over 40.
What Does This Mean for Providers?
- Providers can recommend hip arthroscopy as a viable surgical option for younger basketball athletes with intra-articular pathology, anticipating favorable functional outcomes and high RTS potential.
- In older athletes (>40 years), preoperative counseling should include discussion of increased THA risk, and careful assessment of pre-existing degeneration is essential.
- Sport-specific rehabilitation and return-to-play timelines should be individualized based on age, intraoperative findings, and performance goals.