Hip pain and its correlation with cam morphology in young skiers—a minimum of 5 years follow-up

BACKGROUND: There is conflicting evidence regarding the association between cam morphological changes and hip pain, and it remains unclear who with cam morphology will develop hip pain and who will not. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between cam morphology, hip pain, and activity level at a 5-year follow-up in young Alpine and Mogul skiers. METHOD: All students (n = 76) at Åre Ski National Sports High School were invited and accepted participation in this prospective study at baseline. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of both hips was conducted to evaluate the presence of cam morphology (α-angle ≥ 55°) and its size alongside the reporting of hip pain, type, and frequency of training by the Back and hip questionnaire, at baseline. After 5 years, the skiers were invited to complete a shortened version of the same questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 60 skiers (80%) completed the follow-up questionnaire, of which 53 had concomitant MRI data. Cam morphology was present in 25 skiers (47.2%, 39 hips). Hip pain at baseline and at follow-up was reported in 17 (28.3%) and 22 (36.7%) skiers, respectively. No correlations were found between the activity level, the frequency, and the size of cam morphology and hip pain, except for the right hip α-angle at 1 o’clock and hip pain in skiers with cam morphology at baseline (r(s) = 0.49; P = 0.03) and at follow-up (r(s) = 0.47; P = 0.04). A total of 73.3% skiers had retired, of which 48% reported this was due to injuries. CONCLUSION: Hip pain was not shown to be correlated, or had a low correlation, with activity level and the presence and size of cam morphology in young skiers on a 5-year follow-up. Based on these results, cam morphology or activity level did not affect hip pain to develop during 5 years of follow-up in young skiers. Furthermore, this study highlights that almost 75% of young elite skiers had retired from their elite career with almost 50% reporting that this was due to injuries sustained from skiing.