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Fast Starters and Slow Starters After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement: Correlation of Early Postoperative Pain and 2-Year Outcomes

Background: Patients experience varying degrees of pain and symptoms during the early recovery period after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Some “fast starters” report minimal discomfort and are eager to advance activities, while “slow starters” describe severe pain and limitations. The relationship between these early postoperative symptoms and 2-year outcomes after hip arthroscopy is unknown. Purpose: To analyze the relationship between early postoperative pain and 2-year patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after hip arthroscopy for FAI. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients without arthritis or dysplasia who were undergoing primary hip arthroscopy for FAI were prospectively enrolled and completed validated PROs. Scores for visual analog scale (VAS) for pain were collected preoperatively and at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 2 years postoperatively. Scores for the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) were collected preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. Paired t tests were used to evaluate PRO score changes, and correlation analyses were used to assess relationships between early postoperative pain and 2-year postoperative outcomes. Results: A total of 166 patients were included (55% female; mean ± SD age, 35.29 ± 9.6 years; mean body mass index, 25.07 ± 3.98 kg/m2). Patients demonstrated significant improvements in PRO scores (VAS, SF-12 Physical Component Score, mHHS, and all HOOS subscales) at 2 years after hip arthroscopy for FAI (P < .001). There was a significant correlation between lower 1-week VAS pain level (fast starters) and lower 2-year VAS pain level (R = 0.31; P < .001) as well as higher 2-year PRO scores (SF-12 Physical Component Score, mHHS, and all HOOS subscales: R = −0.21 to −0.3; P < .001). There was no correlation between 1-week VAS pain and 2-year SF-12 Mental Component Score (P = .17). Preoperative VAS pain levels showed positive correlations with 1-week postoperative pain scores (R = 0.39; P < .001) and negative correlations with 2-year patient outcomes (R = −0.15 to −0.33, P < .01). There was no correlation between 6-week postoperative pain scores and 2-year PRO scores. Conclusion: Fast starters after hip arthroscopy for FAI experience sustained improvements in outcomes at 2 years after surgery. Patient pain levels before surgery may delineate potential fast starters and slow starters.