• PURPOSE
    • To evaluate the outcomes and return-to-sport rates of hip arthroscopy as treatment for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) and labral tears in competitive soccer players at mid-term follow-up, with a subanalysis of return to sport based on sex and competitive level.
  • METHODS
    • We retrospectively analyzed data of all patients who underwent hip arthroscopy as treatment for FAIS between February 2008 and January 2019. Included patients reported competitive soccer participation and completed preoperative and minimum 5-year postoperative questionnaires for at least one of several patient-reported outcomes-modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score-Sports Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12), and visual analog scale for pain-or underwent documented revision surgery or conversion to arthroplasty. An overall return-to-sport analysis was conducted, with a subanalysis considering preoperative competitive level and sex.
  • RESULTS
    • A total of 65 patients (74 hips) were included. Patients experienced improvements in the mHHS (67.0 to 90.4), NAHS (65.4 to 89.1), HOS-SSS (42.5 to 82.1), and iHOT-12 score (37.7 to 81.3) (P < .01 for all). Patients reached the minimal clinically important difference for the mHHS, NAHS, HOS-SSS, and iHOT-12 score at rates of 81.7%, 78.9%, 83.8%, and 92.6%, respectively. Patients met the patient acceptable symptom state for the mHHS, NAHS, HOS-SSS, and iHOT-12 score at rates of 76.1%, 76.1%, 65.7%, and 68.5%, respectively. Of the 54 patients who attempted to return to soccer at any time point, 47 (87.0%) were successful. Of these 47 patients, 32 (68.1%) continued playing soccer at 5 years postoperatively. No differences were observed when comparing return-to-soccer rates by sex or competitive level.
  • CONCLUSIONS
    • Hip arthroscopy for FAIS and labral treatment in soccer players resulted in significant improvements in functional outcomes, with a high percentage of patients achieving important clinical thresholds. There was a high rate of return to soccer, enabling a substantial number of patients to continue playing at a minimum 5-year follow-up.
  • LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
    • Level IV, retrospective case series.