Cam morphology, hip range of motion and hip pain in young skiers and soccer players

Objectives

To investigate hip pain, hip range of motion and the presence and size of cam morphology among young soccer players and skiers.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

The hip joints of young male soccer players and male and female skiers were examined clinically for hip range of motion (ROM) and with MRI (the presence of cam morphology). All participants answered questions about hip pain, debut age for training/competing and training frequency.

Results

Clinical examinations were performed on 135 athletes (60 male soccer players, 40 male skiers and 35 female skiers), of which 93 athletes had additional MRIs. Mean age was 17.7 (SD 1.2) years. Cam morphology (α-angle ≥60°) was significantly less present in female skiers (3%) compared with male skiers (38%, p ​< ​0.001) and male soccer players (33%, p ​= ​0.03). The soccer players had significantly reduced internal and external hip rotation and self-reported hip pain, compared with the skiers. Female skiers had significantly greater hip ROM, compared with both male skiers and soccer players. A low positive correlation was found between cam morphology and hip pain in male skiers (r ​= ​0.42; p ​= ​0.014).

Conclusions

Female skiers had a lower prevalence of cam morphology compared with the male groups while no difference was found between the male skiers and soccer players. Young male soccer players had significantly reduced internal and external hip rotation and a lower grade of self-reported hip pain compared with male and female skiers.