A Functional Recovery Program for Femoroacetabular Impingement in Two Professional Tennis Players: Outcomes at Two-Year Follow-Up.

Abstract

Background: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) increasingly affects professional and amateur tennis players. Therefore, understanding the optimal approach to follow in specific cases plays an important role in the return to sports activity. Methods: This case report describes a two-stage functional recovery program implemented by two professional tennis players returning to practice. One player (a) underwent two arthroscopic surgeries for FAI and reconstruction of the damaged acetabulum labrum, while the other (b) took a stop period due to pain symptoms related to coxarthrosis and FAI. The subjects were monitored through pain perception questionnaires and mobility tests. An interview was conducted two years after the injury. Results: In both cases, at the end of the program, the subjects had no pain during tennis practice and gained more than 90% of range of motion in hip extension. However, both interrupted the program, experiencing painful symptoms again. At a two-year follow-up, the subjects were no longer involved in professional sports. The factors perceived by the two players were investigated and presented. Conclusions: The program proved beneficial, as both athletes returned to sports practice without pain symptoms and with hip mobility close to physiological. Nevertheless, the pain arose after the program ended and continued over time. Several aspects connected to the injury might have significantly affected early retirement from professional activity.