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Updated: Dec 7, 2025
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In Vivo Quantification of Hip Arthrokinematics during Dynamic Weight-bearing Activities using Dual Fluoroscopy
Published on: July 2, 2021
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Clinical and radiological hip parameters do not precede, but develop simultaneously with cam morphology: a 5-year
P van Klij1, M P Heijboer2, A Z Ginai3
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. p.vanklij@erasmusmc.nl.
Summary
Cam morphology in young male athletes develops alongside specific hip alignment and rotation characteristics, not before them. These factors do not predict cam morphology development, limiting their use in risk identification.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a hip condition characterized by abnormal contact between the femur and acetabulum.
- Cam morphology, a specific type of FAI, involves an abnormal shape of the femoral head-neck junction.
- Understanding the developmental factors of cam morphology is crucial for early detection and prevention strategies in young athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between radiographic and clinical parameters and the development of cam morphology in young male football players.
- To determine if specific hip parameters precede the development of cam morphology.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study of 89 young male football players (12-19 years) with 2.5- and 5-year follow-ups.
- Radiographic measurements included alpha angle (for cam morphology), neck-shaft angle (NSA), epiphyseal extension (EE), and lateral center-edge angle (LCEA).
- Hip internal rotation (IR) was clinically assessed; cam morphology was defined as an alpha angle ≥60°.
Main Results:
- A lower NSA, higher EE, and limited IR were consistently associated with cam morphology across all time-points.
- These associations were more pronounced with large cam morphology (alpha angle ≥78°).
- No association was found between cam morphology and LCEA; none of the studied parameters preceded cam morphology development.
Conclusions:
- Cam morphology develops concurrently with a varus orientation, growth plate extension, and limited hip internal rotation.
- These radiographic and clinical parameters do not precede cam morphology development.
- The studied hip parameters are not suitable for identifying individuals at risk of developing cam morphology.
