If you are suffering from hip pain, there is 10-15% chances that it can be FAI (hip impingement).
It is more common in athletes and person who subjects their hip in extreme ranges or repetitive loadings.
But, FAI is not always cause of your hip pain, in some studies, despite the presence of FAI 30% individual are asymptomatic.
So presence of FAI in reports is not always cause of your problems, it need to be evaluate by the professional experts.
FAI FAI FAI! What is FAI?
So, first we need to know the hip joint is made up with two bones; one is femur and one is acetabulum. It is a ball and socket type joint- ball is made up by head of femur and the acetabulum works as socket.
In FAI(femoral acetabular impingement), abnormal bone grows on head neck junction or the rim of acetabulum, results an irregular joint boundaries.
It leads to pain in activities related to hip joint.
There are three types of FAI –
1. Cam– abnormal bony prominence on neck head junction of femur
2. Pincer– abnormal prominence on acetabulum
3. Mixed– combination of cam and pincer .
What it leads to?
FAI results in abnormal and premature contact between the femoral head–neck junction and the acetabular rim during hip motion. This abnormal contact produces mechanical conflict within the joint, resulting in pain, reduced range of motion, and functional limitations.
If left untreated, the repetitive injury may cause damage to the labrum and articular cartilage, and other important structures around the joint, predisposing the joint to degenerative changes. It can progress to early hip osteoarthritis.
How and why it happens?
Due to –
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Repetitive loading activities during growth (eg: football, running etc.)
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History of hip disease in childhood
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Post traumatic changes
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Post surgical alteration
What are the symptoms of FAI?
Patient with FAI (femoral acetabular impingement) present with a combination of symptoms it includes-
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Pain in groin or inner hip region (often aggravated by walking, prolonged sitting, running
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Locking, clicking, catching within hip joint
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Sometimes referred pain in thigh or buttock region
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Hip stiffness and restricted range of motion
Available Treatment options
1. Surgical Management
Hip arthroscopy is the most widely performed surgical procedure in FAI it involves:
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Acetabuloplasty: triming and reshaping of acetabular rim
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Labral repair or cleaning/debridement
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Femoroplasty: reshaping femoral component
Although hip arthroscopy has shown improvements in certain functional outcomes, evidence indicates that its benefits are often limited to the short term.
2. Surgery with Pre- and Post-operative Physiotherapy
Evidence suggests that surgical management with proper physiotherapy improves outcome and helps to achieve range of motion and strength to resume normal life quicker & without pain and limitation.
3. Conservative (Non-Surgical) Management
Conservative management is considered an effective and reliable option, especially in cases with mild to moderate symptoms or those who are not suitable for surgery.
A specific assessment is done by physical therapist and an individualized and tailored physiotherapy program is designed for each patient, the treatment includes:
When to Seek Professional Help
If you feel any of the above symptoms, it is strongly suggested to seek a professional advice.
If you prefer to avoid medications and want to resume sports or activity of daily life, expert care is available at ANODYNE SPINE CLINIC (East Delhi, South Delhi, West Delhi, Noida, Gurugram) serving since 2005 with trusted expertise in treating various kinds of patients with a unique fusion of Chiropractic adjustment, Manual therapy, Mulligan and Maitland Mobilisation, Advanced rehabilitation exercises, and Ayurveda based healing.
Our focus is not only on reliving pain faster but also on preventing recurrence.
At anodyne, you don’t just get treatment- you get long-lasting results and a holistic path to recovery.