Prehabilitation for Patients Undergoing Surgery for FAIS

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Prehabilitation for patients undergoing surgery for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome- a feasibility study

  • IRAS ID

    293927

  • Contact name

    Anuj Punnoose

  • Contact email

    anujpunnoose30@gmail.com

  • Sponsor organisation

    Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

  • ISRCTN Number

    ISRCTN15371248

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 2 months, 16 days

  • Research summary

    Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) is where extra bone grows on the bones that form the hip joint, giving it an abnormal shape. This condition is common in young adults (aged 16–50) and can lead to damage of the lining of the hip joint (labrum) and cartilage and in some cases cause early onset of osteoarthritis. Majority of patients with FAIS experience pain and problems with movement affecting their daily life as well as their physical and mental wellbeing. Two large scale research studies have demonstrated that correction of FAIS via keyhole surgery (hip arthroscopy - which is looking at the affected area using a tiny camera inserted through a keyhole incision), can improve quality of life in the shorter term. However, not all patients benefit equally and the road to recovery can be long and difficult. Problems occur because of the pre-existing deficits in muscle strength, length of time muscles are not functioning, and also because of damage to muscles and tissues during surgery.

    One possible solution to this problem is to prepare the patient prior to surgery by helping them with education, psychological support, exercises and pain management. This is called ‘prehabilitation’. There has not been much research investigating prehabilitation for FAIS specifically in the NHS. The aim of this study, therefore, will be to assess if a prehabilitation programme is feasible in an NHS care setting for patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. This study will then be able to inform a future larger study to test if prehabilitation for FAIS can improve patient outcomes.

    My plan is to perform a feasibility study which addresses the following issues;

    1.Is the study feasible in an NHS setting? Specifically: Will we have enough participants for the study? What difficulties may arise during the study?

    2.To determine if the intervention is acceptable to both patients and physiotherapists.

  • REC name

    East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    23/EE/0024

  • Date of REC Opinion

    31 Jan 2023

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion