Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition in which extra bone grows along one or both of the bones that form the hip joint — giving the bones an irregular shape. Because they do not fit together perfectly, the bones rub against each other during movement. Over time this friction can damage the hip joint, causing pain and limiting activity.

Description

In FAI, bone overgrowth — called bone spurs — develop around the femoral head and/or along the acetabulum (where the femur meets the pelvis). This extra bone causes abnormal contact between the hip bones, and prevents them from moving smoothly during activity. Over time, this can result in tears of the labrum and breakdown of articular cartilage (osteoarthritis).

Types of FAI

There are three types of FAI: pincer, cam, and combined impingement.

  • Pincer. This type of impingement occurs because extra bone extends out over the normal rim of the acetabulum. The labrum can be crushed under the prominent rim of the acetabulum.
  • Cam. In cam impingement the femoral head is not round and cannot rotate smoothly inside the acetabulum. A bump forms on the edge of the femoral head that grinds the cartilage inside the acetabulum.
  • Combined. Combined impingement just means that both the pincer and cam types are present.
Causes

FAI occurs because the hip bones do not form normally during the childhood growing years. It is the deformity of a cam bone spur, pincer bone spur, or both, that leads to joint damage and pain. When the hip bones are shaped abnormally, there is little that can be done to prevent FAI.

Symptoms

It is not known how many people have FAI. Some people may live long, active lives with FAI and never have problems. When symptoms develop, however, it usually indicates that there is damage to the cartilage or labrum and the disease is likely to progress.
Because athletic people may work the hip joint more vigorously, they may begin to experience pain earlier than those who are less active. However, exercise does not cause FAI.

The most common symptoms of FAI include:

  • Pain
  • Stiffness
  • Limping

Pain often occurs in the groin area, although it may occur toward the outside of the hip. Turning, twisting, and squatting increases the pain and can be described as a sharp, stabbing pain. Sometimes, the pain is just a dull ache, especially if osteoarthritis has developed within the hip joint.

Treatment

When symptoms first occur, it is helpful to try and identify an activity or something you may have done that could have caused the pain. Sometimes, you can just back off on your activities, let your hip rest, and see if the pain will settle down. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, may help.
If your symptoms persist, you will need to see a doctor to determine the exact cause of your pain and provide treatment options. The longer painful symptoms go untreated, the more damage FAI can cause in the hip.

Nonsurgical Treatment

  • Activity changes. Your doctor may first recommend simply changing your daily routine and avoiding activities that cause symptoms.
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Drugs like ibuprofen can be provided in a prescription-strength form to help reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Physical therapy. Specific exercises can improve the range of motion in your hip and strengthen the muscles that support the joint. This can relieve some stress on the injured labrum or cartilage.

Injection may be beneficial for this condition. They may include:

  • Cortisone (Corticosteroid)
  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
  • Prolotherapy
  • Botox
  • Trigger Point Injections

Surgical Treatment
If tests show joint damage caused by FAI and your pain is not relieved by nonsurgical treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery.

  • Arthroscopy
    • Many FAI problems can be treated with arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopic procedures are done with small incisions and thin instruments. The surgeon uses a small camera, called an arthroscope, to view inside the hip. From this camera, small tools and instruments can be used to manipulate the joint.
    • During arthroscopy, your doctor can repair or clean out any damage to the labrum and articular cartilage. He or she can correct the FAI by trimming the bony rim of the acetabulum and also shaving down the bump on the femoral head.

Not all cases can be completed arthroscopically. Some severe cases may require an open operation with a larger incision to accomplish this.