This case-control study compares MRI-measured proximal femur morphology in 37 male elite basketball players (72 hips, mean age 17.6 years) versus 38 age-matched non-athletic controls (76 hips), asking whether vigorous sports participation during skeletal growth increases the prevalence of cam-type deformity.
When you evaluate a young male athlete — especially one who started high-intensity training before age 14 — with reduced hip internal rotation or groin pain, think cam FAI: this paper establishes that the deformity is largely acquired during skeletal growth and that nearly half of asymptomatic athlete hips already have positive impingement signs.
Screen with alpha angle measurement on MRI, recognizing that the anterosuperior (1 o'clock) position is the highest-yield location and that values ≥55° are pathologic.
This case-control study compares MRI-measured proximal femur morphology in 37 male elite basketball players (72 hips, mean age 17.6 years) versus 38 age-matched non-athletic controls (76 hips), asking whether vigorous sports participation during skeletal growth increases the prevalence of cam-type deformity.
When you evaluate a young male athlete — especially one who started high-intensity training before age 14 — with reduced hip internal rotation or groin pain, think cam FAI: this paper establishes that the deformity is largely acquired during skeletal growth and that nearly half of asymptomatic athlete hips already have positive impingement signs.
Screen with alpha angle measurement on MRI, recognizing that the anterosuperior (1 o'clock) position is the highest-yield location and that values ≥55° are pathologic.