Overview:
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint formed by the femoral head (ball) and the acetabulum (socket) of the pelvis. In a normal hip, these structures are congruent, allowing smooth motion without bone-to-bone contact.
Cause:
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) occurs when there is abnormal contact between the femoral head–neck junction and the rim of the hip socket (acetabulum). This can happen when the bones are not perfectly shaped, leading to contact during hip motion.
Overview:
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint formed by the femoral head (ball) and the acetabulum (socket) of the pelvis. In a normal hip, these structures are congruent, allowing smooth motion without bone-to-bone contact.
Cause:
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) occurs when there is abnormal contact between the femoral head–neck junction and the rim of the hip socket (acetabulum). This can happen when the bones are not perfectly shaped, leading to contact during hip motion.
These bony abnormalities can tear the acetabular labrum and damage the articular cartilage, potentially leading to early arthritis if left untreated.
Symptoms:
Pain in the front of the hip or groin, often aggravated by hip flexion, rotation, prolonged sitting, driving, or athletic activity. Patients often notice poor flexibility or increased stiffness in their hip.
Treatment:
Hip arthroscopy to reshape the abnormal bone and correct impingement.
- Trimming excess bone from the acetabular rim is called an acetabuloplasty.
- Reshaping the femoral head–neck junction is called a femoroplasty.
These procedures are often performed together to restore normal hip motion and protect the labrum and cartilage.
If you are suffering from hip pain, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Pappas today.
