Patient-Specific 3-Dimensional Modeling and Its Use for Preoperative Counseling of Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy

Background: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) represents complex alterations in the bony morphology of the proximal femur and acetabulum. Imaging studies have become crucial in diagnosis and treatment planning for symptomatic FAI but also have limited patient understanding and satisfaction. Exploration of alternative patient counseling modalities holds promise for improved patient understanding, satisfaction, and ultimately for outcomes.

Purpose: To compare perceived understanding of functional anatomy and FAI pathomorphology among patients counseled with routine computed tomography (CT), generic hip models, and a 3-dimensional (3D) model printed in accordance with a patient's specific anatomy.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods: A prospective randomized analysis of patients presenting with radiographically confirmed FAI was conducted between November 2015 and April 2017. Patients were randomized into groups that received preoperative counseling with CT imaging alone, a generic human hip model, or a haptic 3D model of their hip. All groups were subjected to a novel questionnaire examining patient satisfaction and understanding on a variety of topics related to FAI. Data were compared with bivariate and multivariate analyses. Statistical significance was determined as < .05.

Results: Thirty-one patients were included in this study (25 men, 6 women). Ten patients were randomized to the CT-only group, 11 to the generic hip model group, and 10 to receive custom 3D-printed models of their hips. Patients preoperatively counseled with isolated CT imaging or a generic hip model reported greater understanding of their pathophysiology and the role of surgical intervention when compared with those counseled with haptic 3D models ( = .03). At final follow-up, patients counseled with the use of isolated CT imaging or haptic 3D models reported greater increases and retention of understanding as compared with those counseled with generic hip models alone ( = .03).

Conclusion: Preoperative counseling with haptic 3D hip models does not appear to favorably affect patient-reported understanding or satisfaction with regard to FAI when compared with the use of CT imaging alone. Continued research into alternative counseling means may serve to further improve patient understanding and satisfaction on this complex anatomic phenomenon.