Abstract: Many former high level Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) players present later in life with disabling hip arthritis requiring surgery. Many of these have evidence of the recently recognised condition of femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI). This condition results from abnormal abutment of the femoral head-neck junction with the acetabulum resulting in pain and progressive hip dysfunction. The prevalence is estimated at 10–15% in the general population, however it appears to be more common in young athletic males, and patients in their 20’s and 30’s with increased sporting activity. There has been an increase in the number of current players presenting with often poorly understood hip symptoms. We aimed to determine its prevalence in current top flight GAA players and in a cohort of past players.

92 current players and 8 retired players from the 1970’s were recruited. Questionnaires were distributed at training sessions and via e-mail. These consisted of a general questionnaire aimed at symptoms of interest, the Oxford Hip Scale and the Tegner Activity Level Scale.

Over half of current players experience hip symptoms with the majority being groin and hip pain but also a significant number complained of stiffness. Up to half of those with symptoms trained at reduced intensity and a further 20% missing training on a regular basis. 5 players in particular ceased playing for a period of between 3 and 36 months. Only 59 of 92 current players scored zero on the Oxford Hip Scale indicating a significant proportion have problems on a daily basis. The mean oxford hip score was 5.43 with a range of 0–29. The average Tegner Activity score was 10 despite having a number of players with significant symptoms indicating their desire to continue to play. 12 of the 92 underwent surgical procedures varying from Gilmore’s groin repairs and adductor tenotomies to hip arthroscopy.

It is evident that there is a link between hip symptoms in current players and FAI. Many hip conditions were previously unrecognized and thus left untreated, resulting in premature retirement of players. We therefore propose that it is vital that players are assessed for FAI at a young age and that training regimes should be altered and closely monitored in order to prevent the exacerbation of such a serious condition.