Clinical Decision-Making in FAIS (NCT07536295) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Clinical Decision-Making in FAIS
Belgium60 participantsStarted 2026-07
Plain-language summary
Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome is increasingly recognized as a contributor to cartilage injury and early hip osteoarthritis. Both structured conservative care and arthroscopic surgery can improve pain and function, but a major unresolved clinical problem is deciding who should continue conservative care and who should escalate to surgery, and when. Evidence indicates that shorter symptom duration before surgery is associated with better long-term improvement, meaning delays may reduce the chance of achieving meaningful recovery. Current decision-making still depends largely on static imaging and passive clinical examination, which do not capture the dynamic, movement-related nature of the condition, while advanced three-dimensional imaging and laboratory motion analysis are not practical for routine clinical monitoring. This study aims to address this gap by developing and validating feasible, clinic-ready dynamic assessment methods and integrating weight-bearing pelvic and spinal alignment with three-dimensional hip modeling to support more objective, individualized, and timely treatment decisions.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 35 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Voluntary written informed consent of the participant or their legally authorized representative has been obtained prior to any screening procedures
. Male or Female, Age 18-35 years inclusive.
. First consultation at participating site with clinical diagnosis of FAIS by a hip orthopaedic surgeon, including positive impingement tests and reduced hip ROM in the transverse plane compatible with FAIS.
. Radiographic cam and/or pincer morphology on standard imaging (e.g. α-angle \>60°, lateral center-edge angle \>40°, crossover sign) as per local protocol.
. Willingness and ability to participate rehabilitation and complete the recommended physiotherapy sessions and attend scheduled follow-up visits.
. Ability to perform basic squat / hip-hinge tasks safely in the motion lab, as judged by the treating clinician.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in International Hip Outcome Tool-33 (iHOT-33)
Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of the study, following a 12-month follow-up period
. History of major hip trauma or pediatric hip disease (e.g. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Perthes disease).
. Developmental dysplasia (lateral center-edge ≤20°) or other severe structural deformity incompatible with the standard FAIS pathway.
. Radiographic signs of hip degeneration (Tönnis grade \>2).
. Other musculoskeletal conditions that significantly interfere with assessments (e.g. symptomatic lumbar disc disease, severe knee pathology, recent adductor muscle pathology).
. Contraindications to MRI (e.g. non-MRI compatible pacemaker or implant, severe claustrophobia not manageable with standard care).
. Contraindications to X-ray or MRI related to pregnancy: known pregnancy at any time, or positive pregnancy test prior to imaging; breastfeeding women will not undergo additional research imaging.
. Inability to perform basic squat/hip-hinge tasks safely (e.g. due to balance, pain or cardiopulmonary limitations).