Hip Impingement

We often hear about shoulder impingement. But the other large ball and socket joint of the body, the hip joint, also suffers from the same condition. It’s called femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI), named after the two bony structures that pinch together and cause the irritation (the femur bone and the acetabulum or socket in the pelvis).

It’s typically seen in athletes and active people who do a lot of pivoting, twisting, jumping and landing and deep forceful squatting and rotations about the hips and pelvis. Like in American football, soccer, skiing and ice hockey. But it does occur in the normal population, especially in persons who may have an abnormality in the shapes of the bones. Things like a shallow acetabulum (hip socket), or a particularly wide or narrow angle of the neck of the femur bone. This can predispose a person to developing an irritating pinching and inflammation at the front of the hip. The symptoms can vary but your physical therapist or orthopedic doctor will be able to determine whether your hip pain is in fact FAI or some other source. Often a plain x-ray or MRI will confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment can be with or without surgery, depending on the severity and the impact on a persons life or livelihood. Physical therapy is crucial to a good outcome and return to an active lifetsyle.

At PT38 physical therapy we have experience with treating this condition and will provide the best treatment and the best chance to return to a happy and active lifestyle.