Results of arthroscopic iliopsoas tendon release in competitive and recreational athletes.

BACKGROUND: An arthroscopic iliopsoas tendon release will alleviate painful snapping of the tendon. One question that remains is whether athletes can return to sports after this procedure. This study presents the results of 5 competitive and 10 recreational athletes who had an arthroscopic release of their iliopsoas tendon.

HYPOTHESIS: Athletes can return to full participation in their sport after an arthroscopic iliopsoas tendon release.

STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS: Fifteen athletes (2 college, 3 high school, 10 recreational) with painful snapping hips and no pain relief after anesthetic magnetic resonance arthrography had an ultrasound evaluation of their iliopsoas tendon and an anesthetic injection into the psoas bursa. In all 15 patients, the injection relieved their hip pain, and in 10 patients, real-time imaging demonstrated snapping of the tendon. All hips were assessed with Byrd's 100-point hip scoring system before the release and at 1.5, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS: Preoperative hip scores averaged 41 and 44 points for the competitive and recreational athletes, respectively. After surgery, the 2 groups used crutches for 4 weeks, and had 6-week scores that averaged 87 and 63 points. At 6 months, their scores averaged 94 and 98 points, and at 12 months, 96 and 97 points, and none had recurrence of their snapping or pain. All 15 athletes returned to full participation in their sport at an average of 9 months after surgery.

CONCLUSION: A return to college, high school, and recreational sports can be expected after an arthroscopic release of the iliopsoas tendon.