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Smaller alpha angles, increased femoral anteversion, acetabular version seen in women
Women showed increased femoral anteversion, increased acetabular version, and smaller alpha angles than men in this retrospective study examining gender differences in hip morphology.
“In young adults with hip pain and labral tears, women have smaller alpha angles and hips that are generally more anteverted,” Iftach Hetsroni, MD, and colleagues stated in the study abstract. “Therefore, in women, cam lesions may be more subtle, preoperative hip version analyses should be encouraged, and rim trimming may need to be cautiously planned to avoid increasing contact stresses at weightbearing areas after such a procedure.”
The study included 105 men and 67 women with varying amounts of hip pain resulting from low-energy sports trauma or signs of hip impingement. Hips with a Tönnis grade of 0 or 1 were also included as well as any patients where labral tear was confirmed by MRI or primary hip arthroscopy, according to the abstract.
Women had 47.8° alpha angles compared to men who displayed 63.6° angles, according to the abstract. Acetabular version in women was 17.3° as opposed to 13.9° in men and femoral anteversion was 14.4° in women compared to 12.1° in men.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.