Femoroacetabular Impingement
This occurs when the thigh bone (femur) has difficulty moving properly in the hip joint, leading to a form of blockage or pinching in the joint.
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Synonyms for femoroacetabular impingement
- ‘’Cam’’ or ‘’pincer’’ type hip
What is femoroacetabular impingement in the hip?
This occurs when the thigh bone (femur) has difficulty moving properly in the hip joint, leading to a form of blockage or pinching in the joint.
What are the causes of femoroacetabular impingement in the hip?
A good part of the problem simply comes from the way the hip anatomy is made. The shape of the bones in the hip determines, in part, whether the hip will have more or less ease in moving freely in certain movements.
However, repetitive hip movements performed with inadequate mechanics can lead to hip irritation.
What are the risk factors for developing femoroacetabular impingement in the hip?
Generally, young people who have excessively practiced sports with impacts (basketball, soccer, ice hockey) during adolescence are more at risk.
« In addition, young children who have had hip pathologies (hip dysplasia, congenital dislocation, or Legg-Perthes syndrome) are more at risk of developing this problem »
What are the symptoms of femoroacetabular impingement in the hip?
The most common symptoms are:
- Groin pain in 83% of cases
- The pain can also be felt in the buttock, on the side of the hip, or in the thigh.
- The pain often increases after activities with a lot of repetitive hip movements, such as:
- Running
- Walking (worse with long strides)
- Doing squats (worse if the squats are deep)
- Hiking up a mountain
- Decreased mobility and stiffness in the hip
- There may be cracking, clicking, or popping sensations in the hip during certain movements
How is femoroacetabular impingement in the hip diagnosed?
Diagnosis is possible based on the history of symptoms and a clinical examination.
When should you see a physiotherapist for femoroacetabular impingement in the hip?
You should consult a physiotherapist if you have symptoms as described above or if your doctor has already ruled out any other cause that may be responsible for your pain.
You do not need to see a doctor before consulting a physiotherapist. If your condition requires you to see a doctor, your physiotherapist will be able to tell you.
What physiotherapy treatments are available for femoroacetabular impingement in the hip?
Your physiotherapist will conduct an assessment to determine the cause of the irritation. Even if part of the problem comes from the shape of the bones, physiotherapy treatments can help.
Your physiotherapist will assess the following:
- Your joint mobility
- The gliding of your nerves
- The quality of your movements
- Your strength and stability
Based on the assessment results, your physiotherapist will:
- Mobilize your hip to reduce pain and improve your range of motion.
- Provide you with specific exercises to retrain the control of your hip movements.
- Give you exercises to regain mobility, reduce pain and regain your muscle strength.
- Teach you how to properly manage your daily activities and hobbies to optimize healing
- Give you advice for your posture and movements.
What can you do at home for femoroacetabular impingement?
Temporarily stop doing movements that cause too much pain, and then gradually start doing them again. Here are some tips that may help:
- Engage in transfer activities that reduce stress on the hip, such as swimming.
- Avoid the following positions:
- Standing while leaning to one side.
- Sitting with your legs crossed.
- If you are unable to sleep on your back, place at least a pillow between your thighs when lying on your side.
- If you are a runner, incorporate walking minutes into your running outings.
- Do gluteal strengthening exercises.
If you don't see any improvement after 10 days, you should consult a physiotherapist.
Sources
- Macfarlane RJ, Haddad FS. The diagnosis and management of femoro-acetabular impingement. The Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England. 2010 Jul;92(5):363-7.
- Grant AD, Sala DA, Schwarzkopf R. Femoro-acetabular impingement: the diagnosis—a review. Journal of children’s orthopaedics. 2012 Mar 1;6(1):1-2.
- Pun S, Kumar D, Lane NE. Femoroacetabular impingement. Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, NJ). 2015 Jan;67(1):17.
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