BACKGROUND: The prevalence of a cam-type deformity in athletes and its association with vigorous sports activities during and after the growth period is unknown. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore compared the prevalence and occurrence of a cam-type deformity by MRI in athletes during childhood and adolescence with an age-matched control group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 72 hips in 37 male basketball players with a mean age of 17.6 years (range, 9-25 years) and 76 asymptomatic hips of 38 age-matched volunteers who had not participated in sporting activities at a high level. RESULTS: Eleven (15%) of the 72 hips in the athletes were painful and had positive anterior impingement tests on physical examination. Internal rotation of the hip averaged 30.1° (range, 15°-45°) in the control group compared with only 18.9° (range, 0°-45°) in the athletes. The maximum value of the alpha angle throughout the anterosuperior head segment was larger in the athletes (average, 60.5° ± 9°), compared with the control group (47.4° ± 4°). These differences became more pronounced after closure of the capital growth plate. Overall, the athletes had a 10-fold increased likelihood of having an alpha angle greater than 55° at least at one measurement position. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest a high intensity of sports activity during adolescence is associated with a substantial increase in the risk of cam-type impingement. These patients also may be at increased risk of subsequent development of secondary coxarthrosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, diagnostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of a cam-type deformity in athletes and its association with vigorous sports activities during and after the growth period is unknown. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore compared the prevalence and occurrence of a cam-type deformity by MRI in athletes during childhood and adolescence with an age-matched control group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 72 hips in 37 male basketball players with a mean age of 17.6 years (range, 9-25 years) and 76 asymptomatic hips of 38 age-matched volunteers who had not participated in sporting activities at a high level. RESULTS: Eleven (15%) of the 72 hips in the athletes were painful and had positive anterior impingement tests on physical examination. Internal rotation of the hip averaged 30.1° (range, 15°-45°) in the control group compared with only 18.9° (range, 0°-45°) in the athletes. The maximum value of the alpha angle throughout the anterosuperior head segment was larger in the athletes (average, 60.5° ± 9°), compared with the control group (47.4° ± 4°). These differences became more pronounced after closure of the capital growth plate. Overall, the athletes had a 10-fold increased likelihood of having an alpha angle greater than 55° at least at one measurement position. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest a high intensity of sports activity during adolescence is associated with a substantial increase in the risk of cam-type impingement. These patients also may be at increased risk of subsequent development of secondary coxarthrosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, diagnostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Authors: Rintje Agricola; Jan H Waarsing; Nigel K Arden; Andrew J Carr; Sita M A Bierma-Zeinstra; Geraint E Thomas; Harrie Weinans; Sion Glyn-Jones Journal: Nat Rev Rheumatol Date: 2013-07-23 Impact factor: 20.543
Authors: Corinne A Zurmühle; Marco Milella; Simon D Steppacher; Markus S Hanke; Christoph E Albers; Moritz Tannast Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2017-02-13 Impact factor: 4.176
Authors: Kee Hyung Rhyu; Young Soo Chun; Gwang Young Jung; Yoon Je Cho Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc Date: 2018-06-06 Impact factor: 4.342
Authors: Joel Wells; Jeffrey J Nepple; Karla Crook; James R Ross; Asheesh Bedi; Perry Schoenecker; John C Clohisy Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2017-04 Impact factor: 4.176