Hip impingement – also known as femoroacetabular impingement, or FAI – is a condition in which the ball of the hip, the femoral head, pinches up against the cup of the hip, the acetabulum. This damages the cartilage that surrounds the cup of the hip, causing stiffness and pain and possibly leading to arthritis.
What are the signs and symptoms of Hip Impingement?
- Hip or groin pain after prolonged sitting or walking
- Hip or groin pain after exercise
- Popping or clicking in the front of the hip
What causes Hip Impingement?
Hip impingement occurs when the bones around the hip aren’t shaped properly. There are two types.
- The ball of the hip (femoral head) is more oval than round, creating friction when the ball hits the cup.
- The cup of the hip (acetabulum) is abnormally shaped and covers too much of the femoral head, causing friction.
How is Hip Impingement stenosis treated?
Non-Surgical
- Rest and limiting activities that irritate the hip
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Physical therapy
Surgical
- If hip impingement is not improving with nonsurgical treatments, some patients may be candidates for hip arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive technique that can treat the cause of impingement and as well as any problems that it has caused. This can include labral repair, cartilage treatments, and osteoplasty (smoothing down the bone that is impinging).