Citation

Ferenczi A, Moraux A, Gall FL, Thévenon A, Wieczorek V. Orthop. J. Sports Med. 2020; 8(1): e2325967119894962.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/2325967119894962

PMID

31934595

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pelvic-femoral injuries are a common problem in football (soccer) players. However, the risk factors for these injuries are unclear. Our knowledge of spinal-pelvic sagittal balance has increased considerably over the past few years, notably as a result of new radiographic techniques such the EOS radiographic imaging system.

PURPOSE: To investigate the link between spinal-pelvic sagittal balance on EOS imaging and the incidence of pelvic-femoral injuries. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

METHODS: Players in a League 1 professional soccer team were observed for 5 consecutive seasons. All players included in the study underwent EOS radiographic imaging. All acute and microtraumatic injuries to the pelvic-femoral complex were recorded prospectively: hamstrings, psoas, quadriceps, adductors, obturators, and pubic symphysis. We analyzed the relationship between injury incidence and key radiographic parameters involved in pelvic balance.

RESULTS: A total of 61 players were included (mean age, 24.5 years; n = 149 injuries; mean pelvic tilt, 9.08° ± 5.6°). A significant link was observed between the incidence of pelvic-femoral injuries and pelvic tilt (P =.02). A significant link was also observed between the incidence of acute pelvic-femoral injuries and pelvic tilt (P =.05). In both cases, a high pelvic tilt was associated with a low incidence of injuries.

CONCLUSION: In professional soccer players, a low pelvic tilt was associated with a high incidence of all pelvic-femoral injuries as well as acute pelvic-femoral injuries. These results could lead to new preventive methods for these musculotendinous injuries through physical therapy.

Language: en

Keywords

acute injury; adductors; EOS imaging; hamstrings; obturators; pelvic tilt; pelvic-femoral injury; quadriceps; spinal-pelvic sagittal balance