What are the causes of Femoroacetabular Impingement?

There are many factors that may cause an individual to develop Femoroacetabular Impingement including;

 Hip dysplasia or malformation during infancy/childhood
 Repetitive stress on the hip
 A femoral neck fracture that did not heal properly (malunion)
 Small bony growths around the joint called osteophytes.
 Normal anatomical variation

How can physiotherapy help with Femoroacetabular Impingement?

Femoroacetabular impingement is a complex condition and researchers are still determining the best possible treatment. It is thought that untreated FAI can lead to osteoarthritis of the hip down the track and there are both surgical and non-surgical options for treatment.

Conservative (non- surgical) management for FAI involves core stability training, strengthening exercises for the lower limb specifically the hip and postural balance exercises. This program aims to improve the hip’s neuromuscular function. A hydrotherapy program can also helpful as it reduces weight through the joint, making movements more comfortable.

Lastly, a home exercise program is made for patients, so they can continue treatment at home. For many people, physiotherapy is enough to resolve their symptoms and prevent future problems, however other may require surgery.

With surgery, hip arthroscopy is the most common procedure for this disorder and is used to change the shape of the joint slightly so that there are no points of irritation with movement. After surgery, patients are usually referred to physiotherapy for rehabilitation.

Disclaimer

None of the information in this article is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for advice on your individual injury.