'Do Patient Characteristics Associate With Poor Outcome With Femoral Acetabular Impingement Syndrome (FAIS) Following Physiotherapy-led Rehabilitation'
This study aims to understand why some people with hip impingement (where the hip bones rub and cause pain, often called FAI) don't get better with physiotherapy exercises. Normally, these exercises strengthen hip muscles to stop the rubbing, but this doesn't work for everyone. Researchers think other things, like a person's emotions (feeling sad or anxious) or nerve pain, might be involved. They will ask adults with hip impingement about their experiences using questionnaires before and after they start physiotherapy. By comparing results, they hope to find out why some people's pain continues, leading to better, more personalised treatments in the future.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Imagine your hip joint is like a ball and a socket. Sometimes, the 'ball' part of the joint has a small extra bump. When you move your leg, especially when squatting or kicking, this bump can rub against the 'socket' part. This rubbing can cause pain, and over time, might lead to damage or even arthritis. This condition is called hip impingement, and it affects many young adults.
Physiotherapy often helps by making the muscles around your hip stronger. Stronger muscles can change how the 'ball' moves in the 'socket', stopping that painful rubbing. However, we've noticed that these exercises don't help everyone; some people still experience pain. This study wants to find out why this happens. Could it be that emotions, like feeling sad, worried, or even being scared to move, play a part? Or could it be due to nerve pain, which is pain coming from damaged nerves?
To explore this, researchers will invite 175 adults with hip impingement who are about to start physiotherapy. These participants will fill out special questionnaires twice: once before starting physiotherapy and again four months later. These questionnaires will ask about their pain and their feelings. By carefully looking at the answers, the researchers hope to understand more about the different reasons why people might still have hip pain, even after trying physiotherapy. This knowledge could help doctors and physiotherapists offer more tailored and effective treatments in the future.
Key takeaways
- This study aims to understand why physiotherapy doesn't help everyone with hip impingement.
- It will investigate if emotions or nerve pain contribute to ongoing hip pain.
- Participation involves completing two sets of questionnaires over about four months.
- No new treatments are given; you continue your usual physiotherapy.
- The findings could lead to more personalised treatments for hip impingement.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for adults aged between 18 and 55 years old. You would need to have been officially diagnosed with hip impingement (also known as FAIS) by a doctor or physiotherapist, usually confirmed with scans like an MRI or X-ray. You should also be waiting to start physiotherapy led rehabilitation and not have had any previous surgery on the affected hip, or recent physiotherapy in the last six months.
Some people would not be able to join, for example, if they have other hip conditions like severe hip arthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 or higher), hip dysplasia, or certain inflammatory conditions. If you're pregnant, have had previous hip surgery, or are already involved in another hip research study, you wouldn't be able to take part. Also, it's important that you can understand and speak English to complete the questionnaires.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you between 18 and 55 years old?
- Have you been diagnosed with hip impingement (FAIS)?
- Are you waiting to start physiotherapy for your hip?
- Have you NOT had hip surgery or recent hip physiotherapy recently?
- Do you NOT have severe hip arthritis or other specific hip conditions?
- Can you understand and speak English?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part in this study, you would be involved in two short appointments, each lasting between 30 to 60 minutes. The first appointment would happen just before you start your physiotherapy treatment. The second appointment would be around four months after you've begun your physiotherapy. During both of these appointments, you would be asked to complete some special questionnaires. These questionnaires are designed to gather information about your emotions, how you experience pain, and what you think might be causing it. There are no special treatments or medications given as part of this study; it's purely about collecting information through these questionnaires.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal SciencesVerified postcodeOxford, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is hip impingement?
It's when the ball and socket of your hip joint don't fit perfectly, causing parts to rub and cause pain, especially during certain movements.
Will I receive any new treatment in this study?
No, this study doesn't involve new treatments. You'll simply continue with your planned physiotherapy while sharing information through questionnaires.
How long will I be involved?
You'll have two appointments: one before physiotherapy and one about four months later. Each takes 30-60 minutes.
Do I have to answer all the questions?
You can skip any question you don't feel comfortable answering. Your participation is voluntary.
Will my GP or physio know I'm in the study?
Your medical team will generally be aware, but your personal answers will be kept private and confidential.
How to find out more
Simon J Wood, MSc
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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