Relationship of wound cosmesis with patient-reported outcome measures following total hip arthroplasty

Background: Although a few studies have assessed cosmetic outcomes following total hip arthroplasty (THA), none have investigated their association with hip-specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cosmetic outcomes and PROMs following THA. Methods: We included 139 cases of primary THAs for osteoarthritis of the hip with a follow-up period of at least 1 year. Cosmetic outcomes were evaluated using the Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS) from the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. PROMs were assessed using the Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ). Correlations between cosmetic outcomes and PROMs were analysed. Results: The mean follow-up period after THA was 24 months. The PSAS total score was negatively correlated with the FJS-12 total score (r = −0.430, p < 0.001) and JHEQ total score (r = −0.243, p = 0.004). Among the JHEQ subscales, negative correlations were observed with the pain (r = −0.221, p = 0.009) and mental (r = −0.288, p < 0.001) subscales. Conclusions: Better cosmetic outcomes were associated with better PROMs after THA. However, the direction and clinical importance of the association remain unclear and warrant further investigation.