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A study into the development of femoroacetabular impingement using MRI (FAIM)


Work package	Biomarkers (WP2) Mechanisms of Movement Dysfunction and Interventions (WP3)
Principal Investigator	Prof Siôn Glyn-Jones (University of Oxford)
Investigators	Mr Antony Palmer, Dr Julia Newton, Prof Andrew Carr
Collaborators	Mr Mo Gimpel, Prof Maria Stokes, Prof Markus Heller, Dr Natasha Jones, Southampton FC, Oxford United
Details	Approximately 30% of the general population have a hip joint shape that can give rise to a condition called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). As a result of this condition, when the hip is moved in certain directions the bone impacts against the labrum and cartilage. This can give rise to groin pain and also increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis. We do not know when or why this abnormal hip shape develops. However, early studies suggest that it may relate to activity levels during teenage years when the growing bone is susceptible to injury. Indeed, unlike the general population, approximately 90% of professional footballers have this abnormal hip shape. The aim of our study is to understand the mechanism through which this hip shape develops by performing MRI scans to compare the hips of elite athletes with individuals from local schools aged 9-18. This may allow us to propose preventative strategies. Our parallel study named ‘FAIT’ is investigating how best to treat FAI.

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