Arthroscopic labral repair and treatment of femoroacetabular impingement in professional hockey players

Abstract

Background: Hip injuries are common among professional hockey players in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Hypothesis: Professional hockey players will return to a high level of function and ice hockey after arthroscopic labral repair and treatment of femoroacetabular impingement.

Study design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: Twenty-eight professional hockey players (NHL) were unable to perform at the professional level due to unremitting and debilitating hip pain. Players underwent arthroscopic labral repair and were treated for femoroacetabular impingement from March 2005 to December 2007. Players who had bilateral hip symptoms were excluded. Athletes completed the Modified Harris Hip Score preoperatively and postoperatively and also completed a patient satisfaction questionnaire postoperatively. Return to sport was defined as the player resuming skating for training or participation in the sport of ice hockey.

Results: The average age at the time of surgery was 27 years (range, 18-37). There were 11 left hips and 17 right hips. Player positions included 9 defensemen, 12 offensive players, and 7 goaltenders. All players had labral lesions that required repair. In addition, all patients had evidence of femoroacetabular impingement at the time of surgery. The average time to return to skating/hockey drills was 3.4 months. The average time to follow-up was 24 months (range, 12-42). The Modified Harris Hip Score improved from 70 (range, 57-100) preoperatively to an average of 95 (range, 74-100) at follow-up. The median patient satisfaction was 10 (range, 5-10). Two players had reinjury and required additional hip arthroscopy.

Conclusion: Treatment of femoroacetabular impingement and labral lesions in professional hockey players resulted in successful outcomes, with high patient satisfaction and prompt return to sport.