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The Development and Validation of a More Discriminating Functional Hip Score for Research

  • Current Topics Concerning Joint Preservation and Minimally Invasive Surgery of the Hip
  • Published:
HSS Journal ®

Abstract

Background

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a commonly performed procedure with increasing frequency in the young adult. While most available outcome measures can document postoperative improvement in pain and function, they do not measure the ability to perform high-demand activities.

Questions/Purposes

We present and validate a user-friendly discriminating hip scoring system (the functional hip score) for use in younger, “high-demand” patients undergoing hip arthroplasty surgery.

Methods

We studied 38 subjects without any hip symptoms and 72 patients undergoing THA for osteoarthritis of the hip. Preprocedure and postprocedure scores were collected in the latter cohort of patients. SF-36 and WOMAC scores were used to validate our functional scoring system. The functional hip score was tested for internal consistency, reliability, and criterion validity.

Results

The functional hip score had high test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and criterion validity. This can be used to measure functional outcome in the younger high-demand adult patient undergoing THA.

Conclusion

Our discriminating functional hip score can reliably measure improvement in hip function in the younger high-demand adult. Current scoring systems have ceiling effects and are unable to differentiate a high performing hip replacement from the routine hip replacement. The use of functional tasks that are measured objectively allows better documentation of improvement in hip function.

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Disclosures

Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, or patent/licensing arrangements) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

One or more of the authors (FSH) has or may receive payments or benefits from a commercial entity (Smith and Nephew, Inc) that may be perceived as a potential conflict of interest.

Each author certifies that his or her institution approved the human protocol for this investigation, that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent for participation in the study was obtained. FSH Smith and Nephew Consultancy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Trauma and Orthopaedics, University College London Hospitals, Euston Road, London, WC1, UK

    Sujith Konan MRCS, Jenni Tahmassebi BSc & Fares S. Haddad MCh(Orth) FRCS(Orth)

Authors
  1. Sujith Konan MRCS
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  2. Jenni Tahmassebi BSc
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  3. Fares S. Haddad MCh(Orth) FRCS(Orth)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sujith Konan MRCS.

Additional information

Level of Evidence: Assessment of a diagnostic evaluation. Study Level II: see Levels of Evidence for complete details.

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Konan, S., Tahmassebi, J. & Haddad, F.S. The Development and Validation of a More Discriminating Functional Hip Score for Research. HSS Jrnl 8, 198–205 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-012-9298-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-012-9298-4

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