Editorial Commentary: Failure to Return to Sport, or Rather a Failure to Attempt a Return After Hip Arthroscopy Is Not Correlated With Poor Clinical Outcome: The Devil Is in the Details

Abstract

While hip arthroscopy has been shown to be highly effective at improving pain and restoring function, postoperative outcome reporting remains heterogeneous, particularly as it relates to return to sport (RTS). Previous studies have identified significant variability in RTS rates, and often studies fail to accurately report on the population of patients who do not attempt RTS for reasons other than their hip. Despite failing to attempt an RTS, patients can still experience statistically significant, and clinically meaningful improvements in patient-reported outcome measures. Clinical results of those who do not RTS may be otherwise similar to results experienced by a group of high-level athletes who have successful RTS. Failure to attempt to RTS does not equate to a poor clinical outcome. To improve the clinical utility of future published RTS rates, better consensus on the means of evaluating and reporting on a patients' readiness for RTS are required. Additionally, comprehensive reporting should include identifying patients who do not RTS for reasons other than their hip.