Preoperative mental health status is a significant predictor of postoperative outcomes in adolescents treated with hip preservation surgery

Purpose This study was designed to evaluate predictive factors that influence pain, mental health symptoms and postoperative outcomes at six-months post-hip preservation surgery (HPS) in adolescent surgical candidates. Methods In total, 58 HPS candidates (39 female, 19 male; mean age 15.53 years (10 to 19)) were evaluated. Diagno-ses included: acetabular dysplasia (34); idiopathic femoroac-etabular impingement (15); Perthes disease (six); avascular necrosis (six); and slipped capital femoral epiphysis (six). All patients underwent periacetabular osteotomy (36), surgical hip dislocation (17) or arthroscopy (five). Patients com-pleted the following: Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS); Child Health Questionnaire-87 (CHQ-87); Pediatric Symptom Checklist-Youth (PSC-Y), preoperatively and six months post-operatively. A single psychologist assessed patients in clinics and one to two additional appointments. Results In all, 78% of patients reported one to three years of pain prior to HPS (modified Harris hip score). All pain scores (NPRS) significantly decreased at six months postop-eratively. Preoperative mental health scores (CHQ-87) significantly predicted postoperative pain scores (F(1, 57) = 4.07; p < 0.048; R² = 0.068). Mental health symptoms (PSC-Y) decreased significantly (p < 0.001). Patients who were seen by a psychologist two or more times reported better six-month postoperative outcomes than those seen once: usual pain (NPRS; p = 0.012); patient-reported physical function (CHQ-87; p = 0.029); and mental health (PSC-Y; p = 0.019). HPS patients seen ≥ 60 days prior to surgery showed marked improvements at six months compared with patients seen < 60 days prior to surgery. Conclusion HPS candidates evaluated preoperatively by psychology, as part of an integrated treatment approach, demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pain, health-related quality of life and mental health symptoms. Two+ visits, more than 60 days prior to surgery appears to be impactful. Preoperative pain and mental health symptoms were predictive of postoperative pain.