Prevalence of cam-type deformity on hip magnetic resonance imaging in young males: a cross-sectional study

To determine the prevalence of cam-type deformities on hip magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in young males.

This was a population-based cross-sectional study in young asymptomatic male individuals who underwent clinical examination and completed a self-report questionnaire. A random sample of participants was invited for MRI of the hip. We graded the maximal offset at the femoral head-neck junction on radial sequences using grades from 0 to 3, where 0 = normal, 1 = possible, 2 = definite, and 3 = severe deformity. The prespecified main analyses were based on definite cam-type deformity grades 2 or 3. We estimated the prevalence of the cam-type deformity adjusted for the sampling process overall and according to the extent of internal rotation. Then we determined the location of the deformity on radial MRI sequences.

A total of 1,080 subjects were included in the study and 244 asymptomatic males with a mean age of 19.9 years attended MRI. Sixty-seven definite cam-type deformities were detected. The adjusted overall prevalence was 24% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 19-30%). The prevalence increased with decreasing internal rotation (P < 0.001 for trend). Among those with a clinically decreased internal rotation of < 30°, the estimated prevalence was 48% (95% CI 37-59%). Sixty-one of 67 cam-type deformities were located in an anterosuperior position.

Cam-type deformities can be found on MRI in every fourth young asymptomatic male individual and in every second male with decreased internal rotation. The majority of deformities are located in an anterosuperior position.