Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI)

Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI) services offered in Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs, CA

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) affects individuals of all ages, causing pain and limited mobility when the bones in the hip joint rub against each other. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Hansel E. Ihn, MD, specializes in diagnosing FAI and providing comprehensive treatment that prevents ongoing joint damage by restoring the bones. To learn if your hip pain is caused by FAI, call the office in Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs, California, or request an appointment online today.

Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI) Q & A

What is femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)?

FAI (hip impingement) develops when bones in the hip joint don’t have the usual shape. As a result, the ball and socket don’t fit together the way they should, causing friction between them.

The friction leads to excessive bone growth that can damage the joint’s cartilage and other tissues, causing pain and leading to arthritis.

Many people are born with an abnormal bone shape. However, it’s possible to develop the condition over time due to another hip problem.

There are two types of FAI, and you can have one or both:

Femoral head deformity

The femoral head — the ball at the top of your femur (thighbone) — has an oval shape instead of being round. As a result, the ball rubs against the hip socket, causing excessive bone growth.

Acetabulum deformity

In this type, the acetabulum (hip socket or cup) is abnormally shaped. As a result, the cup covers the ball, and the bones rub against each other when moving. The friction causes extra bone to grow on the ball.

What are the symptoms of FAI?

FAI causes the following symptoms:

Pain (sharp and stabbing or a dull ache)
Stiffness
Limping
Popping, clicking, or catching sensations

The pain usually affects the groin or front of the thigh, but may occur in the hip, buttock, lower back, thigh, or knee. Your pain may only appear or worsen when turning, twisting, or squatting, or during or after intense exercise.

Some people experience mild pain for years. However, your symptoms can worsen rapidly, causing severe pain that stops you from participating in physical activities.

How is FAI treated?

During your physical exam, Dr. Ihn performs a test that verifies hip impingement by manually moving your leg into a position that recreates your hip pain. However, he may still take X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI to verify the condition and rule out other hip problems.

Treatment for FAI begins with:

Activity modification (avoiding movement that causes pain)
Anti-inflammatory medications
Physical therapy (improves range of motion and eases pain)

If these treatments don’t help, Dr. Ihn may recommend arthroscopic surgery. During arthroscopy (a minimally invasive procedure using small incisions and thin instruments), he can remove damaged tissues and bony bumps.

Don’t wait for hip pain to worsen. Learn if you have FAI and get exceptional treatment from Hansel E. Ihn, MD. Call the office or book a consultation online today.