Integrated longitudinal research on the etiology of CAM deformity and its association with femoroacetabular impingement.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common clinical problem

in which abnormal contact occurs between the thighbone and the hip

socket. In intensive, mostly still young, male athletes, this problem

seems to be related to a bony deformity on the head of this

thighbone, a so-called CAM. FAI itself gives rise to pain symptoms,

but in time can even lead to premature osteoarthritis. However, the

cause of a CAM deformity itself, nor how FAI then arises, is

insufficiently known. In view of FAI prevention and its better

treatment, this project thus tries to better understand the underlying

mechanisms. For this purpose, we will for the first time combine

detailed biomechanical evaluations of specific movement patterns

with advanced medical imaging and state of the art clinical

evaluations to longitudinally follow up a group with a known high risk

of developing a CAM deformity, being young male elite soccer

players. Findings within this group will be additionally compared with

similar analyses performed in patients with FAI. This research aims to

thus form a basis to define novel (sports-specific) training schemes

for the prevention of FAI, but also to define the actual treatment and

rehabilitation plans in more patient-specific and a better-informed

way.