What is hip impingement?
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) happens when the shapes of the thigh-bone head and the hip socket do not match perfectly, so the two bones meet too early when the hip bends. Over time this contact can damage the labrum and the cartilage.
There are three types: cam (a bump on the thigh-bone head), pincer (the socket covers too much) and mixed.
Symptoms
- Pain in the groin or front of the hip, worse after long sitting, squatting or getting into a car
- Reduced inward rotation of the hip
- Pain during or after sport, sometimes with catching
Diagnosis
Impingement tests are done during the examination. X-rays show the bone shape and type of impingement; MRI shows the labrum and cartilage. The diagnosis combines these findings with your symptoms — some people have the shape on imaging with no complaints at all.
Treatment
Non-surgical
Activity changes, a physiotherapy programme for the hip and core muscles and, where appropriate, pain relief or injections. For many patients this is the first step.
Hip arthroscopy
If symptoms persist, hip arthroscopy reshapes the extra bone and repairs an associated labral tear. How the joint capsule is managed during surgery is one of the factors that influence results; Prof. Gürsoy has published on this topic.
Return to sport
Rehabilitation is staged. In the general literature return to sport is usually planned within a few months; the exact timing depends on the procedure, the sport and progress in testing.
Common questions
Does hip impingement lead to arthritis?
It is thought to contribute to cartilage damage in the long term, which is why joint-preserving treatment matters in symptomatic patients.
Which sports is it most common in?
Activities with deep hip flexion and rotation: football, hockey, martial arts, dance and yoga.