Osteoarthritis of the hip and knee joint in retired football players.

The possible relationship between football playing and osteoarthritis in the hip and knee joints has been examined. The results of clinical and radiographic examinations of 57 retired football players and a corresponding control group were compared. Osteoarthritis of the hip joint was found to occur significantly more often in the football players than in the controls. Such a relationship could not be found regarding the knee joint.