Return to Sports and Minimum 2-Year Outcomes of Primary Arthroscopic Hip Labral Reconstruction for Irreparable Tears in High-Level Athletes With a Propensity-Matched Benchmarking Against a Labral Repair Control Group
Authors: Jimenez AE, Monahan PF, Owens JS, Maldonado DR, Saks BR, Ankem HK, Sabetian PW, Lall AC, Domb BG
DOI: 10.1177/03635465211032593
Background
Labral reconstruction is increasingly used to treat irreparable labral tears in high-level athletes, but direct comparisons with labral repair outcomes are limited.
Methods
This study retrospectively compared high-level athletes undergoing primary labral reconstruction to propensity-matched athletes treated with labral repair. Outcomes assessed at a minimum 2-year follow-up included patient-reported outcomes (PROs), return to sport (RTS), and patient satisfaction.
Key Findings
- Both labral reconstruction and repair groups demonstrated significant improvements in PROs.
- RTS rates were similarly high in both groups.
- Labral reconstruction provided comparable functional outcomes to labral repair in this athletic population.
Conclusions
Labral reconstruction is a viable surgical option for irreparable tears in athletes, offering outcomes comparable to repair in terms of pain relief, hip function, and return to sport.
What Does This Mean for Providers?
- When facing irreparable labral tears in high-level athletes, labral reconstruction should be considered a reliable alternative to repair.
- Providers can counsel patients that reconstruction can achieve similar mid-term functional outcomes and RTS rates.
- Surgical decision-making may be more confidently individualized based on tear characteristics without compromising athletic performance prognosis.