Comparitive Cases of Femoroacetabular Impingement Among Xavier Student-Athletes
Start Date
April 2026
Location
2nd floor - Library
Abstract
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) is a developmental hip deformity characterized by abnormal formation of the femoral head (Cam type) or acetabulum (Pincer type). Impingement can lead to sustained pain or joint damage, and research has shown implications toward future labrum tears and osteoporosis. This study examined the relationship between gender, sport type, and FAI severity in 30 collegiate athletes (15 male, 15 female; ages 18–22) using pelvic AP X-rays. Alpha angles and lateral center-edge angles (LCEA) were measured with ImageJ and analyzed using two-sample t-tests. Male athletes demonstrated significantly higher alpha angles than females (p = 0.008), indicating greater cam-type severity, while no significant gender differences were found in LCEA (p = 0.43). Athletes in high-intensity, cutting sports, particularly soccer, showed the highest alpha angles. These findings suggest that male athletes and those exposed to repetitive stress during development may be at increased risk for cam-type FAI, though further research with larger samples is needed.
Comparitive Cases of Femoroacetabular Impingement Among Xavier Student-Athletes
2nd floor - Library
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) is a developmental hip deformity characterized by abnormal formation of the femoral head (Cam type) or acetabulum (Pincer type). Impingement can lead to sustained pain or joint damage, and research has shown implications toward future labrum tears and osteoporosis. This study examined the relationship between gender, sport type, and FAI severity in 30 collegiate athletes (15 male, 15 female; ages 18–22) using pelvic AP X-rays. Alpha angles and lateral center-edge angles (LCEA) were measured with ImageJ and analyzed using two-sample t-tests. Male athletes demonstrated significantly higher alpha angles than females (p = 0.008), indicating greater cam-type severity, while no significant gender differences were found in LCEA (p = 0.43). Athletes in high-intensity, cutting sports, particularly soccer, showed the highest alpha angles. These findings suggest that male athletes and those exposed to repetitive stress during development may be at increased risk for cam-type FAI, though further research with larger samples is needed.
