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Elite Rowers Demonstrate Consistent Patterns of Hip Cartilage Damage Compared With Matched Controls: A T2* Mapping
Bernd Bittersohl1, Chiara Benedikter, Alexander Franz
1B. Bittersohl, C. Benedikter, A. Franz. T. Hesper, R. Krauspe, C. Zilkens, Department of Orthopedics, University of Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany C. Schleich, G. Antoch, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany H. S. Hosalkar, Hosalkar Institute, San Diego, CA, USA; Joint Preservation and Deformity Correction, Paradise Valley Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA; and Hip Preservation, Tricity Medical Center, San Diego, CA, USA One of the authors certifies that he (RK) has received or may receive payments or benefits, during the study period, an amount of less than USD 10,000 from Corin (Cirencester, UK).
Elite rowers show significantly more hip cartilage and labrum degeneration than non-rowing controls. This study highlights the potential long-term risks of repetitive hip loading in rowing athletes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Rowing involves repetitive hip motion and axial loading, increasing elite athletes' risk of early hip osteoarthritis.
- Understanding the impact of rowing on hip joint health is crucial for injury prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether elite rowers exhibit characteristic hip cartilage lesions on T2-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sequences.
- To compare hip cartilage and labrum integrity in elite rowers versus asymptomatic non-rowers.
Main Methods:
- 20 elite rowers (≥12 hours/week training) and 15 asymptomatic non-rowers underwent 3-Tesla MRI.
- T2 mapping and morphologic analysis assessed cartilage and labrum degeneration in various hip regions.
- T2 values indicate cartilage water content and collagen structure integrity.
Main Results:
- Elite rowers displayed significantly higher rates of labrum and cartilage degeneration compared to controls.
- All elite rowers showed some degree of cartilage degeneration; 45% had cartilage abrasion and 5% cartilage loss in the acetabulum.
- Lower T2 values (indicating degeneration) were observed in elite rowers' hips, particularly in the anterosuperior region.
Conclusions:
- Elite rowers exhibit a substantially greater degree of hip cartilage degeneration than asymptomatic controls.
- While causation is not proven, findings suggest rowing may contribute to early hip joint deterioration.
- Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore causative links.
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