EP8.49 Investigating functional performance of single-leg squats (SLSq) via telehealth, following FAIS arthroscopic surgery: a pilot study

Abstract Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome (FAIS) is a prevalent source of hip pain in active young adults. Whist utilisation of telehealth has grown exponentially, there is a paucity of literature on hip tele-assessment measuring the effects of hip arthroscopic surgery. Evaluating performance of functional measures over telehealth allows clinicians or researchers to measure patients remotely, thereby reducing geographical and/or logistical barriers. This pilot study aimed to investigate the functional performance of single-leg squats (SLSq) following FAIS arthroscopic surgery, utilising tele-assessment technology. The qualitative assessment measured differences in participants pre-surgery and 6-months post-surgery for FAIS, and in a cohort of asymptomatic controls. FAIS participants required the following criteria: radiographic confirmation of either cam/pincer or combined impingement, symptoms of hip pain, a positive pain provocation test (flexion-adduction-internal rotation (FADIR)); they were also all scheduled for surgery. Outcome measures were conducted over Zoom and assessed pre-surgery (baseline) and 6-months post-surgery. Asymptomatic controls were included if they had: no history of hip pain/injury or surgery, no history of lower limb injuries in the last three months, and a negative FADIR test; their assessment was recorded over Zoom. SLSq performance was rated as “good”, “fair” or “poor” based on a qualitative analysis of: i) trunk posture; ii) knee joint; iii) hip joint; iv) pelvis; and overall performance of balance, perturbations, depth and speed of squat. The quality assessment was measured using video recordings from Zoom. Fifteen FAIS participants (nfemale=4) and fifteen asymptomatic controls (nfemale=4) were included in this pilot study. Twenty-eight participants (FAIS=14) were right leg dominant. Surgery was performed on the right hip of 11 FAIS participants, with 5 having surgery on their non-dominant leg. Pre-operatively SLSq performance was rated as “poor” (n=8) and “fair” (n=6) in the surgical leg for FAIS participants. At 6months post-surgery, n=1 remained “poor”, “fair” (n=12) and “good” (n=1). Correlations with PROMs is currently in process. Whilst most functional performances of SLSq improved after-surgery, some functional deficits remain, and differences persist at 6-months in the FAIS population when compared to the asymptomatic controls. This study suggests that tele-assessment technology is a suitable method to measure outcomes following hip surgery.