What is Hip Impingement?
Hip impingement is when the ball of your thigh bone (femur) and hip socket don’t fit together like they should. Hip impingement is also known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).
FAI is painful. When the ball of your femur can’t move smoothly in your hip socket, you may experience pain or stiffness. FAI can also damage your hip over time. This damage may also lead to osteoarthritis or tears in your cartilage and labrum.
Types of Hip Impingement
There are three types of hip impingement:
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Cam impingement is a bump of extra bone growth on the ball or neck of your thigh bone. The growth stops the head of your thigh bone from fitting in the socket. When you move your hip, the extra bone forces itself into the socket and pinches the joint.
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Pincer impingement happens when the hip socket is too deep or covers too much of your thigh bone. A deep socket will pinch sooner than a normal socket. It can also wear down your joint’s protective tissue (cartilage) lining.
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Combined impingement means you have both cam and pincer impingements.
Hip Impingement Causes
FAI happens when the bones in your hip joint catch, rub or move poorly in your socket. Bone spurs and abnormalities are the most common case of hip impingement. You can be born with a bone abnormality, or develop one over time.
Injury or repetitive motion can also cause hip impingement. Activities like golf, lacrosse, hockey, soccer or basketball have repetitive motions.
Open Surgery Surgeons
Displaying 2 of 2 providers
Christopher L. Peters
Arthroscopic Surgeons
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Stephen K. Aoki
Travis G. Maak
Locations
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University Orthopaedic Center
(Located in Salt Lake City)
801-587-7109590 Wakara Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Hip Impingement Symptoms
You can develop hip impingement at any age. It is more common in patients between 16 and 50 years old. You might experience common symptoms of hip impingement:
- Catching or popping sensation in your hip
- Dull ache in your groin when sitting or squatting
- Difficulty walking uphill
- Pain in the front of your hip or groin
FAI can feel different for each person. Most people with hip impingement feel discomfort or pain in their hip and groin. You could experience symptoms during specific activities:
- Jumping
- Squatting
- Sitting for a long time
- Twisting or turning
Hear From Our Patients
National champion speed skater, Blair Cruikshank, started experiencing persistent, worsening hip pain that interfered with her training. After she was diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAI), she and her family sought treatment for her condition at the Hip Preservation Program. Today she is back on the ice at full speed after undergoing a successful hip arthroscopy procedure.
Hip Impingement Treatment
Your provider will likely recommend non-surgical treatment options first. They may start with a few different treatments to see if your symptoms improve:
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Anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen or aspirin
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Avoiding physical activities that worsen your symptoms
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Injections with steroids, platelet rich plasma (PRP) or hyaluronic acid to relieve pain, swelling, and irritation
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Physical therapy exercises to build strength and improve range of motion
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Rest
These treatments can improve symptoms in many cases. However, if your pain is caused by structural problems in your bones, it may come back.
Does Hip Impingement Go Away?
A hip impingement may not go away on its own. An untreated hip impingement may cause many symptoms and conditions:
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Hip and joint tissue damage
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Cartilage damage
Hip Impingement Surgery
Hip impingement surgery can improve your hip’s function, decrease pain, and allow you to return to your activities pain-free. You have different options for hip impingement surgery:
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Arthroscopy—If you have cam impingement and mild cartilage damage, you may consider arthroscopy. This surgery is minimally invasive. Your surgeon makes small “keyhole” incisions on the side of your hip to reach the joint. They shape or remove the extra bone and damaged tissue.
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Surgical dislocation and osteochondroplasty—Your surgeon makes an incision on your hip. They carefully cut your thigh bone and bring it out of the joint for better access. Your surgeon trims and reshapes the head of your thigh bone and the rim of your hip socket to fit together correctly. Your surgeon uses screws to hold the bone back together. Surgeons use this method for more complex problems, like Perthes disease and slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE).
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Hip replacement (arthroplasty)—You may need a total hip replacement for severe joint damage. Your surgeon removes the damaged bone and replaces the end of your thigh bone and the hip socket with an artificial joint.
Hip Impingement Surgery Recovery
Each person recovers differently from hip impingement surgery. Your recovery will depend on the type of procedure you have. Most people can walk immediately after arthroscopic surgeries, using crutches for comfort. Some more complicated surgeries may require you to use crutches for a few months. Physical therapy exercises can help you regain joint strength and movement.
During the first three months after arthroscopic surgery, most patients return to low-impact activities, such as walking, stationary biking, and swimming. After three months, you can expect to do higher intensity activities such as jogging, running, and jumping. If you have a more complicated surgery with a slower recovery, it may take six months to return to everyday activities. Your provider will schedule follow-up appointments to ensure your hip heals properly.
Make an Appointment With a Hip Specialist
If you have hip pain, call 801-587-7109 to request an appointment with our hip specialists.
You do not need a referral to see one of our hip specialists for hip pain, but your individual insurance plan may require one. Check with your insurance carrier to see what your plan requires before scheduling your appointment.
