HIP IMPINGEMENT
Hip impingement is a painful dysfunction of the hip often cause by biomechanical deficiencies. It can also be known as FAI (femoral acetabular impingement).
Hip impingement is a term used to describe when there is hip pain and dysfunction caused by the ball and socket of the hip joint not working properly. This can be from developmental issues, boney growths on the socket or the ball of the hip, or abnormal stress on the joint from certain physical activity.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hip impingement can include loss of hip internal rotation, pain in the groin area during or after flexing the hip, and/or pain with running, jumping or prolonged sitting.
Treatment Options
Treatment options range from managing symptoms with medication and physical therapy in many cases to surgery in more severe cases. If not properly treated, the pain and symptoms that impingement causes can get worse as damage to the hip joint progresses.
Left untreated, hip impingement may result in tearing of the labrum which is the cartilage lining of the hip joint. When the labrum is torn, it can cause pain and limited range of motion in the hip. In addition, hip impingement may damage the protective cartilage that covers the ends of the bones, triggering hip pain, tenderness, stiffness and loss of hip flexibility.
Because every case of hip impingement is unique, treatment must be customized to each patient. Your physical therapist will work with your physician to determine the cause of your impingement, the extent of the damage to the structures, and the most appropriate course of treatment. Your therapist will also work closely with you to determine your goals, activity level, and expectations to tailor a customized program to help you successfully achieve your goals.
If you are diagnosed with hip impingement, consult our team of experts to set up a recovery program specifically for you.
