Predictors of Persistent Postoperative Pain at Minimum Two-years After Arthroscopic Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement
Objectives: To evaluate predictors for persistent postoperative pain following hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). We hypothesized that patients with chronic preoperative pain, smokers, and those with co-morbid mental health disease would have greater persistent postoperative pain. Methods: Patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS were identified in a prospectively collected database with a minimum of two-year follow-up with patient reported outcomes (PROs). Previous open hip surgery and diagnoses other than FAIS were excluded. Patients were grouped by VAS-Pain scores as limited (≤30) and persistent (>30). Patient factors and outcomes were analyzed with univariate and correlation analyses to build a logistic regression to identify predictors of postoperative pain. Results: The limited pain (n=514) and persistent pain (n=174) groups totaled 688 patients (449 females). The persistent pain group was significantly older with a greater proportion of revision arthroscopy, worker’s compensation cases, smokers, hypertension, a history of a psychiatric diagnosis and preoperative narcotic use. Both collegiate sport participation [odds ratio (OR) -6.09 (95% CI: -1.23--30.3, p=0.027) and frequent running (OR -1.75, 95% CI: -1.09--2.81; p=0.021) decreased risk for pain. Smokers were 2.22 times more likely to have persistent pain (p=0.032; 95% CI: 1.07-4.46). A history of anxiety and depression is associated with 2.87 greater risk for persistent pain (p=0.030; 95% CI: 1.11-7.45). Conclusion: Independent predictors for persistent postoperative pain include current smoking and mental health history positive for anxiety and depression. Running as a primary form of exercise and high-level athletic participation are protective against persistent pain. Additional risk factors for increased pain include increased age, workers’ compensation claim, previous comorbid disease treated with surgery, and decreased preoperative PROs. Our analysis demonstrated significant improvements in both pain and functional PROs in both the limited pain and persistent pain groups; however, those with persistent pain demonstrated significantly inferior PROs.