The relationship between cam morphology and hip and groin symptoms and signs in young male football players.

Abstract

BackgroundConflicting and limited high‐quality prospective data are available on the associations between cam morphology and hip and groin symptoms and range of motion (ROM).ObjectivesThis cross‐sectional cohort study investigated associations between cam morphology presence, size and duration and symptoms and ROM.MethodsAcademy male football players (n = 49, 17‐24 years) were included. Standardized antero‐posterior pelvic and frog‐leg lateral radiographs were obtained at baseline, 2.5‐ and 5‐year follow‐up. The femoral head‐neck junction was quantified by: Visual score. Cam morphology (flattening or prominence), large cam (prominence).Alpha angle. Cam morphology (≥60°), large cam (≥78°). Cam morphology duration was defined as long (first present at baseline) or short (only from 2.5‐ to 5‐year follow‐up). Current symptoms at 5‐year follow‐up were assessed using a hip and groin pain question and by the “Hip and Groin Outcome Score” (HAGOS). HAGOS scores were categorized into: most symptoms (≥2 domains in lowest interquartile range [IQR]), least symptoms (≥2 domains in highest IQR). Hip ROM was measured by goniometry at 5‐year follow‐up.ResultsLarge cam morphology based on visual score was associated with hip and groin pain (23.8% vs. 7.1%, OR: 3.17, CI: [1.15‐8.70], P = .026), but not with HAGOS scores. Cam morphology presence, size, and duration were associated with limited flexion of around 6° and/or 3° to 6° for internal rotation.ConclusionCam morphology presence, size, and duration were associated with limited hip flexion and/or internal rotation, but differences might not exceed the minimal clinical important difference. Whether cam morphology results in symptoms is uncertain.