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Chondral lesions frequent in younger retired NFL players with hip pain
A majority of young retired NFL players with persistent hip pain were found to have chondral lesions, according to recently published data.
Researchers conducted a retrospective chart review of MRIs of 62 hips in 50 retired NFL players treated for persistent hip pain from February 2011 to December 2012. Players’ mean age was 33 years.
Twenty-seven hips were evaluated using MRI, and the other 35 were evaluated with MRI arthrogram. Both methods were assessed for labral tears, chondral lesions, ligamentum teres (LT) tears, bone cysts, osteophytes, loose bodies, trochanteric bursitis and alpha angle. Player demographics, position and number of seasons played were also recorded.
Chondral lesions were found in 98% patients. Labral tears (89%) and partial or complete LT tears (81%) were also commonly observed. No players were determined to have trochanteric bursitis or loose bodies. Subchondral bone cysts were found in 14.5% of players, and paralabral cysts and hips with osteophytes were each found in 5% of players.
Disclosure: See the study for a full list of all authors’ relevant financial disclosures.