Femeroacetabular Impingement: A leading Cause of Hip Problems

Femeroacetabular Impingement is a condition that by a process of repetitive abutment of the femur against the socket can cause groin pain and in some causes premature arthritis of the hip joint.

In today’s world, a number of people, especially athletes and sportspersons, suffer with hip problems. One of the major causes of such painful hip conditions is Femeroacetabular Impingement (FAI). In this case, there is an abnormal growth in the bones of the hip, which leads to a mismatch in the ball and socket. The bone outgrowth usually occurs along the acetabulum (socket) or around the femoral head (ball). Due to this outgrowth, the ball and socket rub against each other, with the movement of hip, causing tearing of the labrum and damage to the cartilage in the hip joint. It leads to intense pain in hip and may develop osteoarthritis with the wearing of articular cartilage.

Types of FAI

There are basically three types of FAI:

Pincer Impingement: In this case, an abnormal growth of bone takes place over the normal rim of the acetabulum. This impingement increases the risk of tearing of the labrum with the prominent rim of the acetabulum.

Cam Impingement: In this condition, there is a deformation in the round shape of the femoral head, which hinders the smooth rotation of the ball inside the acetabulum. Due to the bump created on the edge of the femoral head, the cartilage inside the acetabulum gets crushed with hip movement.

Combined Impingement: In this condition, both cam and pincer impingements occur at the same time. It causes crushing of the labrum as well as wearing of the cartilage.

Cause

The main cause of FAI is the abnormal development of the hip bones during one’s childhood. It is basically the unusual growth of a cam bone spur, pincer bone spur, or both, causing damage and pain in hip joint. This problem is more prominent in athletes or people who are involved actively involved in physical word. However, exercise does not lead to FAI.

Symptoms

Those who suffer with Femeroacetabular Impingement may experience pain in the groin area, which may radiate toward the outside of the hip. They may also have sharp stabbing pain with turning, twisting, and squatting.

Treatment

Non-Surgical Treatment

The doctors usually recommend the patients some physical activities for strengthening of the muscles around the hip, pelvis and spine, anti-inflammatory medication, and rest to alleviate the hip pain.

Surgical Treatment

If your hip condition does not respond to non-surgical treatment, your doctor may recommend for arthroscopic surgery. Performed with the use of a small arthroscope and surgical instruments, this arthroscopic technique is very effective for treating Femeroacetabular Impingement.

Dr. Parminder J Singh is a specialist of Femeroacetabular Impingement and Hip arthroscopy, total hip replacement including anterior muscle sparing total Anterior Hip replacement and total knee replacement surgery.

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