Definition:

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) or hip impingement syndrome is a condition affecting the hip joint in young and middle-aged adults. Impingement occurs when the ball shaped femoral head rubs abnormally or doesn't have full range of motion in the acetabular socket. Damage in the hip joint can occur to the articular cartilage or the labral cartilage (soft tissue bumper of the socket). Treatment options vary from conservative treatment to arthroscopic and open surgery.

Symptoms:

• Pain in the groin
• Pain in the low back
• Loss of ROM in the hip
• Pain at night
• Anterior groin pain that worsens with hip flexion, internal rotation, and adduction

Causes:

• Osteoarthritis
• A deformity of the ball at the top of the femur
• A deformity of the socket
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
• Coxa vara

Treatment:

• ROM and stretching to the hip
• Hip strengthening exercises
• Core stabilization exercises
• Possible surgical intervention