Exercise in patients with acetabular retroversion and excessive anterior pelvic tilt: A feasibility and intervention study

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Background: Acetabular retroversion is associated with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). Anterior pelvic tilt enhances risk of FAIS. Objectives: To investigate feasibility and change in patient-reported symptoms of a home-based exercise intervention in patients with acetabular retroversion and excessive anterior pelvic tilt, in comparison with a prior control period. Design: Prospective intervention study. Methods: Patients (18–40 years) not eligible for surgery, with radiographic signs of acetabular retroversion and excessive anterior pelvic tilt were recruited. An 8-week control period was followed by an 8-week training period. The home-based intervention consisted of education and exercises for core stability, muscle strengthening and stretching for reducing anterior pelvic tilt. Feasibility assessments were dropout (≤10%), adherence (≥75% of sessions), exercise-related pain, and adverse events. Primary outcome was change in the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) pain-subscale. Pelvic tilt was measured by EOS scanning. Results: Forty-two patients (93% female, mean age 22.2 ± 4.2 years) were included. Dropout rate was 7% and satisfactory adherence was demonstrated by 85%. Exercise-related pain and adverse events were acceptable. Between-period mean change score for HAGOS-PAIN was 5.2 points (95% CI: −0.3–10.6) and −1.6° (95% CI: −3.9–0.7) of anterior pelvic tilt. Patients responding positively (≥10 points) (n = 10, 26%), had pre-exercise moderate pain (HAGOS-PAIN 47.5–70 points). Conclusions: Current exercise intervention was feasible. However, we found no clinically relevant changes in self-reported hip-related pain or anterior pelvic tilt. Post hoc responder analysis revealed that patients with moderate pain at baseline might benefit from this exercise.

Original languageEnglish
Article number102613
JournalMusculoskeletal Science and Practice
Volume61
ISSN2468-8630
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors

    Research areas

  • Exercise, FAIS, Femoroacetabular impingement, Non-surgical treatment, Pain

ID: 325463035