The subjective hip value: a retrospective validation study in primary total hip arthroplasty.

Background: The hip dysfunction and osteoarthritis outcome score for joint replacement (HOOS JR) has been widely used to assess patient hip function. The subjective hip value (SHV) has become increasingly recognized as an efficient single-question survey for assessing hip joint function. This study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the SHV in evaluating hip function in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) in correlation with the traditional HOOS JR.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of 1,157 distinct patients who underwent primary THA between January 2021 and December 2023. Scores for SHV and HOOS JR were collected preoperatively, as well as 3 months and 1 year postoperatively. Validity was determined using Pearson's correlation tests between the SHV and HOOS JR.

Results: Overall, the SHV was highly correlated with the HOOS JR at 3 months (R = 0.71, P < 0.001) and 1 year postoperatively (R = 0.79, P < 0.001). Additionally, changes in the SHV showed significant correlations with changes in the HOOS JR between the preoperative and postoperative periods. The SHV also had substantially fewer ceiling effects compared to the HOOS JR.

Conclusions: The SHV is a valid and responsive single-item assessment for hip joint function following primary THA. Despite its limitations, its efficiency and ease of use make it a feasible option for routine clinical assessments, providing clinicians with valuable insights into patients' recovery. Subsequently, the integration of the SHV into orthopedic practice holds promise for enhancing the management of postoperative care and improving patient outcomes.