Your hips are made of a ball-and-socket joint formed by the connection of the acetabulum and the femur’s head. Normally, the femur’s head fits perfectly into the acetabulum socket, allowing smooth rotation and movement without any trouble.
However, there are times when extra bones or bone spurs suddenly form around the femoral head and/or along the acetabulum. As the bone overgrowth comes in contact with the normal bone, it might damage the tissues or tear the cartilage, causing a condition called femoroacetabular impingement.
Learn more about this hip condition as our top specialists in miami sports medicine discuss femoroacetabular impingement in great detail.
What Is Femoroacetabular Impingement or FAI?
Femoroacetabular impingement (aka FAI or hip impingement) refers to a condition wherein the hip joints become abnormally shaped, causing friction during movement. This can also result in the pinching of tissues or tears in the labrum (cartilage in the acetabulum) as the two bones come in contact.
Three types of femoroacetabular impingement exist, and they are as follows:
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Cam Impingement
This type of hip impingement occurs when bone spurs form in the femoral head, creating a bump in the once-smooth edge of the femur.
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Pincer Impingement
In this one, the excessive bone arises around the rim of the acetabulum socket. Thus, during movement, the femur head will bump into the bone overgrowth, causing damage.
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Combined
This is a condition wherein both cam and pincer impingement are present in the hip joint.
All types of FAI can cause damage to the articular cartilage that lines both the femur head and acetabulum. Additionally, having a pincer impingement can cause labral damage due to the abnormal bone spurs extending from the acetabulum rim.
What Does a Hip Impingement Feel Like? What are the symptoms?
Hip impingement symptoms differ from person to person. Some may go for years without feeling any discomfort, while others may suffer from pains in the groin area, especially during repetitive motion.
When it does cause symptoms, most affected individuals can feel one or more of the following:
- Moderate to chronic aching in the hip or groin area, especially when moving
- Limited mobility
- Stiffness of the affected part
As the disease progresses, you might feel worsening pain sensations in the hip area even while doing simple activities, like prolonged sitting or putting your socks on.
What Causes Femoroacetabular Impingement?
Overgrowth of bones in the femoral head and/or acetabulum rim causes hip impingement syndrome. This sudden development of bone spurs has different origins; according to several studies, this includes:
- Acquired from familial genes.
- Deformity during childhood development
- A result of repetitive movement that overextends the joint beyond its normal range.
- Secondary to pediatric hip disease, like capital femoral epiphysis.
Who Is at Risk of Developing FAI?
According to studies, 10 to 15 percent of people with hip impingement belong to the general adult population, specifically active individuals. In addition, people playing high-level sports, such as martial arts, football, and hockey, have an increased risk of developing FAI.
Furthermore, heavy laborers and weightlifters also have a high tendency to fall victim to hip impingement. Other factors that increase your chances of developing FAI include:
- Repeated hip flexion
- Trauma in the hips
- Inflammatory arthritis
- Legg-Calves-Perthes disease
How to Diagnose Femoroacetabular Impingement?
Most FAI starts with a dull ache and stiffness in the groin, hip area, or front of the thigh. When this occurs, you should rest the affected area and see if the pain will subside.
If the aching persists and it starts to affect your mobility, then it’s time to see an orthopedic specialist.
Your doctor will assess your health condition by first interviewing you about your medical history and the current symptoms you are feeling. They will then perform a series of diagnostic tests to determine if you have a hip impingement.
Physical Examination
Physically assessing the affected area will help your doctor know the actual source of your pain and the limitations of your range of motion. Additionally, they might also perform a motion test by doing specific movements to your hip joints to know if it elicits any pain.
Medical Imaging
Imaging tests will allow your physician to see and identify any abnormalities in your hip joints. Imaging tests using an X-ray or CT scan can be used to see bone deformities or herniation pits in the affected part.
If your doctor wants to view the hip damage in a detailed image, then they might order a magnetic resonance imaging scan or MRI.
Some other diagnostic tests a physician might recommend include anesthetic or cortisone injections.
How Do You Treat Hip Impingement?
Treatment for femoroacetabular impingement varies depending on the severity of the symptoms and the damage in the hip joint. Your orthopedic doctor can first resort to non-surgical methods and interventions for mild cases. This might include:
- Rest – limiting or changing your daily activity can help lessen the symptoms you experience. Plus, this can also help reduce the friction in your hip joint, thus decreasing further damage.
- Anti-inflammatory medications – corticosteroids or NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) can decrease the pain and swelling of the affected part. This might be provided through prescription pills or injections.
- Physical therapy – sometimes, doctors recommend physical therapy to improve mobility and strengthen the muscles in the hip area.
Does Femoroacetabular Impingement Need Surgery?
When non-surgical treatments don’t work or when there’s too much damage in the joint, your doctor can resort to surgical procedures.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, most cases of hip impingement can be treated using hip arthroscopy, which is a minimally invasive treatment.
Arthroscopic surgery refers to a procedure that uses only a small incision to access the hip joint then remove or repair the damages inside. Moreover, your doctor can also opt to trim down the excess bone spurs in the acetabulum to correct the deformity and treat the impinged hip.
In severe cases, an open or traditional hip surgery might be the best approach to treat hip impingement and regain normal and complete mobility.
Learn More About Hip Impingement from South Florida International Orthopaedics
The key to treating your FAI effectively is to get an early and proper diagnosis first from the experienced South Florida orthopedics.
At South Florida International Orthopaedics, we specialize in bringing high-quality orthopedic care and services to our patients. Our team of multispecialty doctors provides high-end hip arthroscopy in Miami and other types of treatment for hip conditions, such as:
- Hip labral tear treatment in Miami
- ACL tear treatment
- Arthritis care
- Fracture treatment
- Joint replacements
And more!
Contact us now at (305) 233-0011 to learn more about the surgical and non-surgical treatments we offer. You can also request an appointment so you can get a proper in-person consultation.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
