title: 95% prevalence of abnormality on hip MRI in elite academy level rugby union: A clinical and imaging study of hip disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the prevalence of hip disorders in elite level academy rugby union players using clinical and radiological investigation comparing findings to active controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were assessed clinically using validated questionnaire (HAGOS) and physical testing procedures. Active ROM of all hip movements were measured using a goniometer and hip-specific clinical tests including the FABER and the Thomas test examined functional hip motion. Physical tests were compared to age, gender and activity matched controls. The rugby-playing participants underwent dedicated non-arthrographic 3T MRI imaging of the hip in axial oblique, sagittal and coronal planes to assess anatomical abnormality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rugby cohort had significantly reduced ROM of internal/external rotation, extension and FABER scores compared to the controls. Symptoms were reported by 65% of rugby players (HAGOS symptom score <89.3) versus 15% in controls. There was a 95% prevalence of abnormality on MRI (19 of 20 players); 80% of the elite rugby players had labral pathology, 55% had a cam deformity (45% left sided 30% right-sided) and 25% had either unilateral or bilateral chondral wear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of abnormality on MRI of the hip is high in rugby players at 95% of study participants. The percentage reporting symptoms was lower at 65% of the cohort although this was significantly higher than (non-rugby) matched controls at 15% of participants. Rugby players demonstrated significantly reduced ROM of the hip compared to controls. Further prospective research is required to investigate the long term sequelae of these findings.
authors.affiliation: Leinster Rugby, Newstead Building A, UCD, Ireland.
authors.forename: Garreth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sports Surgery Clinic, Santry Demesne, Ireland.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sports Surgery Clinic, Santry Demesne, Ireland.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sports Surgery Clinic, Santry Demesne, Ireland.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Logan
authors.affiliation: Leinster Rugby, Newstead Building A, UCD, Ireland.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Denvir
authors.affiliation: Leinster Rugby, Newstead Building A, UCD, Ireland.
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Ellevyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Irwin
authors.affiliation: Dept of Sports Rehabilitation, St Mary's University College, UK.
authors.forename: Conor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gissane
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: wilsonf@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D025981:Hip Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015995:Prevalence; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hip injury; Radiology; Rugby