title: Hip injuries in the overhead athlete.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The overhead athlete is at risk for shoulder and elbow injuries. However, the mechanics associated with overhead sports also place athletes at risk for hip injuries. Advancements in hip arthroscopy have identified femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and instability as potential contributors to labral and chondral pathology in this athletic population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We therefore determined whether hip function improves after arthroscopic treatment of FAI in overhead athletes and the rate at which overhead athletes returned to preinjury level of play.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively identified high-level baseball and lacrosse players (varsity high school, collegiate, and professional) who underwent arthroscopic treatment for FAI. Thirty-four athletes with an average age of 21.4 years met study criteria. There were 16 baseball players and 18 lacrosse players. All patients completed modified Harris hip scores and were assessed for ability to return to preinjury level of play. The minimum followup was 12 months (average, 25 months; range 12-41 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean modified Harris hip scores improved from 70 to 92. Thirty-three of 34 patients were able to return to preinjury level of sports participation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopic management of hip injuries in the high-level overhead throwing athlete can result in a high rate of return to play. Mechanical overload of the hip from impingement and secondary instability can have a substantial effect on hip function and may be the cause of deterioration in athletic performance in some cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Klingenstein
authors.forename: RobRoy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kivlan
authors.forename: Bryan T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D001484:Baseball / Q000293:injuries*; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D057925:Femoracetabular Impingement; D025981:Hip Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011182:Postoperative Care; D015865:Racquet Sports / Q000293:injuries*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D055815:Young Adult