Hip Impingement/Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)

Understanding Hip Injuries and Available Treatments

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Hip Impingement Treatment Near You in Hoover and Birmingham, Serving Central Alabama

The hip is among the most mobile joints in the body. While this mobility makes a wide range of leg movements possible, it also makes the joint susceptible to injury. Hip is a painful condition that can lead to lasting disability. Patients struggling with hip pain can seek care at Southlake Orthopaedics. Locations in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, Alabama, enable us to reach patients across the state, providing complete orthopedic care to help them enjoy less pain, more living.

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Understanding Hip Structure

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The rounded end of the femur rests inside a cup-shaped structure in the pelvis, allowing it to rotate in multiple directions. The hip can swing forward, backward, and out to the side in an arc, enabling a wide range of movements.

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Skeletal illustration showing injured hip

What Is Hip Impingement?

Hip impingement, which is also called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), occurs when extra bone grows along one or both bones in the hip joint. This causes the femoral head (the ball of the hip) to pinch against the acetabulum (cup of the hip). When this happens, the cartilage surrounding the hip may become damaged. This can lead to pain, hip stiffness, and eventually arthritis.

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Hip Impingement Symptoms

Some patients with FAI experience no symptoms at all. For others, symptoms get gradually worse as the cartilage in the joint becomes more damaged. The most common symptom is a constant, dull ache in the hip. This pain may radiate into the groin, buttocks, or thighs. It also gets worse when performing movements that bend or put pressure on the hip, such as:

  • Squatting
  • Lunging
  • Jumping
  • Tying shoes
  • Lying on the side
  • Sitting still

Severe FAI may also cause stiffness in the hip joint, making it difficult to move the hip. Patients may limp or have trouble walking. If a person is experiencing severe hip pain that interferes with normal movements, they should seek treatment from an orthopedic specialist at Southlake Orthopaedics.

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Hip Impingement Causes and Risk Factors

Hip impingement is most often caused by a bone spur or overgrowth of bone that causes the hip joint to rub against itself. Some people are born with bone spurs or unusually shaped joints. Others develop spurs later in life, though the reason for bone spur growth is not always clear.

Athletes are most likely to experience symptoms from FAI, especially those who participate in sports with large amounts of squatting and other hip-twisting movements. This does not mean that athletes are at greater risk of FAI. Instead, these sports simply require movements that are likely to cause pain due to FAI. Non-athletic patients may have FAI throughout their lives and never experience discomfort.

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Football player being tackled on field

Diagnosing Hip Impingement

When a patient seeks medical care for hip pain or stiffness, physicians must first diagnose the cause. The diagnosis process typically begins with a physical exam to test the hip’s range of motion. The physician will check for tender spots and ask what types of movements cause pain. They will also ask questions about the patient’s medical history, including when the pain started, the patient’s athletic activity, and whether the patient has experienced past hip injuries.

The next step is medical imaging. An X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is used to examine the hip joint for bone spurs and overgrowths. Medical imaging can also be used to determine whether FAI has damaged the cartilage, which will inform the treatment plan.

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Physical therapist treating patient for hip impingement

Treatment Options for Hip Impingement

Treatments for hip impingement often begin with conservative methods. Rest and anti-inflammatory medications may provide short-term relief. For the long term, the physician may recommend activity modifications to avoid aggravating the joint. They may also suggest physical therapy or rehabilitation. This approach retrains the patient to move in ways that don’t cause joint pain. It also works on strengthening the hip and improving flexibility to combat stiffness.

Severe hip impingement may be treated with surgery. The first goal of surgery is to repair or remove damaged cartilage. The second goal is to correct the hip joint’s shape by removing the excess bone, allowing it to bend without pinching. Recovery from hip impingement surgery typically takes six to eight weeks. Physical therapy is often recommended to facilitate a smooth return to normal activities.

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Meet Our Team

Surgical and non-surgical treatments at Southlake Orthopaedics are provided by our multi-specialty team of board-certified physicians. We are home to orthopedic physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, and other professionals who combine their expertise to provide comprehensive treatment for sports injuries and conditions. Meet our orthopedics and sports medicine doctors below:

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Find Treatment for Hip Pain Near You in Alabama

Severe hip pain should not keep you from the activities you love. If you are struggling with pain or loss of mobility, seek treatment at Southlake Orthopaedics. Our multi-specialty team serves patients at offices in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL, providing comprehensive orthopedic care at every stage from diagnosis to rehabilitation. Our expert care can help you find less pain, more living. To learn more about hip impingement or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.

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