Background: In athletes, hip and groin pain is considered to be associated with hip intra-articular pathologies and hip osteoarthritis (OA). A greater understanding of the relationship between hip and groin pain and imaging findings is required.
Objective: Our objective was to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of hip intra-articular pathologies and hip OA in athletes with and without hip and groin pain.
Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched on 29 January 2018 for studies investigating the prevalence of hip intra-articular pathologies and hip OA using X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance arthrography or computed tomography. The search, study selection, quality appraisal and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. When studies were considered homogenous, meta-analysis was undertaken. A strength of evidence was given to pooled results.
Results: Twenty studies reporting on the prevalence of hip intra-articular pathologies and hip OA in athletes were identified. Included studies were considered moderate to high risk of bias, with only three studies adjudged as low risk of bias. In asymptomatic athletes, limited evidence identified a labral tear prevalence of 54% per person and moderate evidence of 33% per hip. In symptomatic athletes, moderate evidence of a labral tear prevalence of 20% per hip was found. Moderate evidence of a cartilage defect prevalence of 10% per person was reported in asymptomatic athletes. In symptomatic athletes, cartilage defect prevalence was 7-40%. In asymptomatic athletes, the prevalence of hip OA was 0-17%, compared with 2% in symptomatic athletes.
Conclusion: The prevalence of hip intra-articular pathologies and hip OA in symptomatic and asymptomatic athletes is variable. Labral tears and cartilage defects appear to be seen often in athletes with and without pain. Hip OA is rarely seen in athletes either with or without hip and groin pain.
Study registration: PROSPERO registration CRD42017082457.