Home»What We Treat»Femoral Acetabular Impingement
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition where extra bone develops along either bone, forming the hip joints. This causes the bone to have an untraditional shape, affecting your mobility and functionality as the bones no longer fit together. Over time, this excess friction can cause damage to the hip joint and general discomfort in the hip. Knowing what femoral impingement is and following your recommended treatments can help you move forward from the limitations of your injury. Read more to learn what to look for with femoral impingement and our recommended treatments.
What is Femoral Acetabular Impingement?
Femoroacetabular impingement involves bone overgrowth or bone spurs growing around the femoral head or the acetabulum. This growth causes a harmful connection between the hip bones and prevents smooth movement. This condition can result in tears of the labrum and osteoarthritis.
Types of Femoral Acetabular Impingement Injuries
Pincer Impingement
Pincer impingement involves excess bone extending over the rim of the acetabulum. Under the overgrowth, the labrum can be crushed.
Cam Impingement
Cam impingement occurs when the femoral head is not rounded, making it difficult to rotate smoothly inside the acetabulum. In this case, a bump forms on the femoral head’s edge, grinding the acetabulum’s inner cartilage.
Combined Hip Impingement
Combined impingement includes both the pincer impingement and cam impingement present at once.
What Does Femoral Acetabular Impingement Injury Mean?
Femoral impingement indicates that you have experienced damage to the hip joint over time.
Femoral Acetabular Impingement Injury Symptoms
- Hip pain or joint pain
- Discomfort when turning, twisting, or squatting
- Hip arthritis
- Excess bone growth
- Hip fractures
- Stiffness
- Limping
You may also experience pain in other areas of the leg called referred pain. This is because the nerves are connected. In this case, knee pain or pain in the thigh bone may occur.
Femoral Acetabular Impingement Causes
Femoral acetabular impingement occurs when the hip bones do not form properly, affecting the function of the hip socket. Overgrowth of the bone can lead to both pain and joint damage in the ball and socket joint. When the hip bones grow spurs, FAI is very common. Some individuals can live their entire lives with symptoms; however, those who notice discomfort typically already have damage to the cartilage. Active individuals may experience FAI before individuals with sedentary lifestyles notice their condition.
Femoral Acetabular Impingement Diagnosis
After noticing joint, hip, or groin discomfort, it is crucial to seek medical care to diagnose your condition. A full physical examination from a physical therapist or physician can complete the diagnosis. A medical provider will generally recommend a femoral acetabular rehabilitation program as part of your treatment plan for your injury. Your treatment for your diagnosis will depend on the extent of your injury and lifestyle.
Femoral Acetabular Impingement Treatment
Femoral acetabular impingement treated with physical therapy can help restore hip and leg function while minimizing pain. In severe cases where rest and physical therapy do not help, surgery can be performed to recover the joint’s functionality. Surgical treatment can include hip replacement or labrum and articular cartilage repair.
Why Choose Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help restore and strengthen the injured hip. Physical therapy uses progressive overload to increase one’s tolerance for activity and athletic endeavors. Physical therapy and exercise can help prevent hip injuries from recurring by better ensuring adequate preparation for one’s physical pursuits.
If you are struggling with femoral acetabular impingement, contact us today to schedule an appointment at Resilient Performance Physical Therapy in NY, NJ, and CT. Join us today to begin your journey to recovery and healing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you fix femoroacetabular impingement?
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) can be treated through surgical and non-surgical methods. Non-surgical treatment involves physical therapy to improve hip mobility, strengthen the muscles around the hip, and reduce stress on the joint. Physical therapy remains crucial after surgery to restore range of motion and strengthen the hip.
What triggers hip impingement?
Hip impingement is typically triggered by abnormal bone growth in the femoral head or acetabulum, which causes these bones to rub together. This can result in cartilage damage and pain during activities that require hip flexion, such as running, sitting, or squatting.
Can hip impingement heal on its own?
Hip impingement does not usually heal independently. However, physical therapy can effectively manage the symptoms by improving hip mechanics, reducing pain, and delaying surgery.
Can you fix hip impingement without surgery?
Yes, many cases of hip impingement can be managed without surgery through physical therapy. Treatment focuses on improving hip strength, flexibility, and range of motion to alleviate pressure on the joint.
Do I need surgery if I have a hip impingement?
Surgery is not always necessary for hip impingement. Many patients benefit from physical therapy, which helps reduce pain and improve movement by addressing muscle imbalances and improving hip mechanics.
What not to do with hip impingement?
With hip impingement, it is essential to avoid activities that place excessive strain on the hip joint, such as deep squats, running on uneven surfaces, or heavy lifting. A physical therapist can guide you in modifying your activities while building hip strength.
Is walking good for a hip impingement?
Walking can be beneficial for hip impingement, but it should be done mindfully to avoid aggravating the condition. A physical therapist can help you adjust your gait and recommend the proper footwear to reduce stress on the hip.
What can be mistaken for hip impingement?
Hip impingement can be mistaken for conditions like hip flexor strain, labral tears, or bursitis, which cause hip pain and restricted movement.
How to cure my hip impingement?
Patients frequently find relief through strengthening exercises, stretching routines, and working with a physical therapist to correct biomechanical issues contributing to the impingement.
What happens if femoroacetabular impingement is left untreated?
If left untreated, femoroacetabular impingement can lead to further damage to the hip joint, including cartilage deterioration and the development of osteoarthritis.
What is the best pain relief for hip impingement?
The best pain relief for hip impingement often includes physical therapy exercises, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications. Physical therapist-prescribed stretching and strengthening routines can relieve pressure on the hip, while manual therapy can help alleviate discomfort.
How do you pop a hip impingement?
Attempting to pop a hip impingement can lead to further damage. Instead, working with a physical therapist can help you safely address tight or restricted movement through targeted stretching and mobility exercises.
What is the best position to sleep in with hip impingement?
Sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees or on your side with a pillow between your legs can help relieve pressure on the hip. A physical therapist can provide additional recommendations to ensure you sleep in a way that promotes hip healing.
How do you treat hip impingement yourself?
Self-treatment for hip impingement should focus on gentle stretching and strengthening exercises. However, it is highly recommended that you work with a physical therapist to ensure that you are using the right techniques.
Do cortisone shots help hip impingement?
Cortisone shots can temporarily relieve pain and inflammation caused by hip impingement. However, they do not address the root cause of the condition.
What does hip impingement feel like?
Hip impingement typically feels like a deep, aching pain in the groin or front of the hip, especially during activities that involve hip flexion, such as sitting or squatting.
How can the difference between hip flexor pain and hip impingement be told?
Hip flexor pain is often more localized to the front of the hip and may occur after running or sprinting, whereas hip impingement pain tends to be deeper and more persistent.
