University of Wisconsin–Madison Medical College of Wisconsin

Prevalence and Course of Treatment of Common Hip Diagnoses Presenting to a Sports Medicine Clinic

Lianna Mack, BS; C. Nathan Vannatta, PT, DPT; Cary Rasmussen, MS; Andrew Borgert, PhD

WMJ. 2019;118(2):65-70.

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Abstract

Background: Hip-related pain and pathology can have an overall negative impact on health-related quality of life. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of symptoms at the hip may expedite the recovery process and allow for an earlier return to normal activity. Knowing the prevalence of a condition can help facilitate the diagnostic process. However, the prevalence of hip diagnoses and associated courses of treatment have not been described.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on patients presenting to a sports medicine clinic. Information on demographics, duration of pain, course of treatment, history of previous injury or surgery, and mechanism of injury was collected. Multivariate linear regression and multivariate logistic regression were utilized to describe differences in course of treatment between diagnostic groups.

Results: Six hundred eighteen patients were included in this study, with 641 hips analyzed. Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) was the most frequent diagnosis (212 hips), followed by “musculotendinous pain” and “hip pain, not otherwise specified.” Of those diagnosed with FAIS, 30.1% had secondary diagnoses in other categories. Home exercise programs were the most commonly prescribed treatment, followed by injections and physical therapy. Having a diagnosis of FAIS or chondrolabral pathology increased the odds of surgery.

Conclusion: Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome was the most common diagnosis in our cohort and had the highest frequency of concurrent diagnoses. A combination of a home exercise program, injection, and physical therapy made up the typical course of treatment, while surgery was utilized less frequently.


Author Affiliations: Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wis (Mack, Vannatta, Rasmussen, Borgert).
Corresponding Author: C. Nathan Vannatta, PT, DPT, SCS, Department of Sports Physical Therapy, Gundersen Health System, 3111 Gundersen Dr, Onalaska, WI 54650, Mail Stop NC1-002; phone 608.775.8986; email cnvannat@gundersenhealth.org.
Funding/Support: None declared.
Financial Disclosures: None declared.
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