Relationship Between Spinal-Pelvic Sagittal Balance and Pelvic-Femoral Injuries in Professional Soccer Players. Issue 1 (7th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferenczi, Antoine; Moraux, Antoine; Gall, Franck Le; Thevenon, André; Wieczorek, Valérie
• Is Part Of: Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine. Volume 8:Issue 1(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01-07
• Subjects: EOS imaging -- spinal-pelvic sagittal balance -- pelvic tilt -- pelvic-femoral injury -- acute injury -- hamstrings -- quadriceps -- obturators -- adductors; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Arthroscopy -- Periodicals; Arthroplasty -- Periodicals; Knee -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 616.7
• DOI: 10.1177/2325967119894962
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2325-9671

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.