Evaluation of Non-Surgical and Arthroscopic Treatment for Hip Microinstability

Microinstability of the hip joint is an important cause of hip pain and reduced hip function in young and active individuals. Hip microinstability is due to extraphysiologic hip motion and could be secondary to acetabular dysplasia, connective tissue disorder, macrotrauma, microtrauma, iatrogenic- and idiopathic causes. Treatment for hip microinstability is initiated with non-surgical treatment consisting of physiotherapy aimed mainly at stability. If non-surgical treatment fails, surgery with arthroscopic plication of the hip joint capsule is the preferred method. This study evaluates non-surgical and arthroscopic treatment for hip microinstability regarding hip function and adverse events.

This is a prospective cohort study evaluating 26 participants above 18 years of age undergoing non-surgical and surgical treatment for microinstability of the hip joint. Participants with findings on physical examination and imaging suggestive of hip microinstability will undergo six months of physiotherapy aimed at stabilizing the hip joint. If non-surgical treatment fails, a diagnostic hip arthroscopy will be performed, and if hip microinstability is confirmed, the participants will undergo a plication of the hip joint capsule. Participants will be evaluated with Patient-Reported Outcome Scores (PROMs) and strength- and function tests at time of enrollment and at 6-, 12- and 24 months following treatment. The primary outcome is hip function determined by PROMs and strength- and function tests. Secondary outcomes include Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL), sport activity level and adverse events.