The Effect of cam and pincer morphology on hamstring injury rates and return to play in elite young male football players.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of cam and pincer morphology on the hamstring injury rate, treatment duration, and recurrence number of elite young male football players.

Methods: Seventy-five elite young male football players were included in this study. Participants were evaluated physically and radiologically for femoroacetabular impingement during pre-season or pre-transfer routine health examinations. Athletes' injury and treatment data for 6 seasons were then collected prospectively and evaluated retrospectively. Athletes were divided into 2 groups: patients with cam and pincer morphology (group 1) and those without (group 2). Both groups were compared regarding the number of hamstring injuries, treatment duration, and recurrence numbers.

Results: The mean age was 20.35 ± 1.37 in group 1 (n = 23) and 18.92 ± 1.48 in group 2 (n = 52). There was a significant difference between the 2 groups regarding age and body weight. The rate of hamstring injuries in group 1 was higher than in group 2, and this difference was statistically significant. Although the recurrence rate (group 1-35.7%, group 2-27.8%) and treatment duration (group 1: 18.4 ± 10.1 days, group 2: 12.1 ± 6.2) in group 1 were higher than in group 2, there was no statistical significance between 2 groups.

Conclusion: The present study has shown that hamstring injuries are more common in elite young male football players with cam and pincer morphology than those without. Therefore, further studies of musculoskeletal dysfunctions of femoroacetabular origin should be considered in the programs prepared to prevent and treat hamstring injuries.

Level of evidence: Level III, Prognostic Study.