Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)

HIP IMPINGEMENT (femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI), hip impingement 
syndrome) 
Hip impingement usually affects the hip joint in young and middle-aged adults. 
Condition is caused by abnormal formation of the hip bones during childhood growing years. Other 
anatomical changes in the angle of the hip may also contribute to this problem. 
The condition is characterized with changes (bone spurs) in the shape of femoral head (cam type, 
pistol grip deformity) and/or acetabulum (pincer type), causing the incomplete range of motion 
within the hip. As they do not fit together perfectly some portion of the soft tissue around the hip 
socket is getting compressed (impingement) and the hip bones rub against each other wich result 
is increased friction during hip movements and cause tearing of labrum and damage to the joint 
(osteoarthritis). 
 
Many people have FAI, and never felt symptoms. When symptoms develop it usually indicates that 
there is damage to the cartilage or labrum and the disease is likely to progress. This syndrome 
typically affects young athletic men (cam type) and middle aged women (pincer type). The first 
noticeable symptom of FAI is groin pain and slight limp that intensifies with activity. Pain may 
radiate along the side of the thigh and in the buttocks. The condition and symptoms can be present 
on one both sides. Groin pain can be accompanied by clicking or popping sound in front of the hip 
when chronic FAI has resulted in a labral tear. With FAI and labral tear both present, symptoms get 
worse with long periods of standing, sitting, crossing the legs, walking or exercise. 
The goal of rehabilitation is to strech tight structures, improve soft tissue flexibility and length, strengthen muscles that support the hip joint, improve the range of hip motion. This can relieve 
some stress on the injured labrum or cartilage.