The point where the thigh bone meets our pelvis is known as the hip joint. It is one of the key joints in our body that help us walk, run, sit, stand, and bend. A strong hip joint is very important for everyone whether an athlete or others. A damaged hip joint limits the ability of the person to move and for an athlete, it can keep the player from the sport for a long time. Orthopedic Trauma Implants designed to be used in the hip may be required if the damage is severe.
In this post, we will have a look at one of the conditions that could result in hip pain and may require surgery for treatment. Let us have a detailed look at the condition.
What is Hip Impingement Syndrome?
Also known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), hip impingement syndrome is the condition characterized by improper alignment of the femoral head or the acetabulum. As per the reports, this condition is commonly seen in men. This situation may arise when there is an extra bone in the hip or as a result of bone deformity.
Hip impingement syndrome is known to cause abnormal wear and tear in the joint along with friction. If timely treatment is not taken, this condition can cause osteoarthritis in the long run.
What Are the Symptoms of Hip Impingement?
In the early stages, the person may not feel anything like pain or discomfort as the condition does not show symptoms early. Over time, pain may be experienced in the groin with activities like walking or flexing the hip. Along with this, reduced range of motion of the hip may also be experienced.
Some other symptoms that may be experienced by the person include hip stiffness, limping, and loss of balance.
What Are the Causes of Hip Impingement Syndrome?
There are two common causes of hip impingement syndrome:
Cam Impingement
This is the condition in which there is a deformity of the ball at the top of the femur. This may cause the head to jam in the socket when the hip is bent.
Pincer Impingement
This is when there is an abnormality in the socket. In this condition, the femoral neck can bump into the rim of the socket during flexion movement of the hip.
How is Hip Impingement Syndrome Diagnosed?
If you experience symptoms of hip impingement syndrome, it is important to timely get the condition diagnosed. During the diagnosis, the surgeon will perform a physical examination along with imaging tests to confirm the condition. The tests ordered may include:
- X-ray
- MRI
- CT Scan
How is Hip Impingement Treated?
The treatment of the condition will depend upon its severity and exact cause. At first, the doctor will suggest resting the affected hip along with activity modifications to curb joint pain. Physical therapy will also be suggested to strengthen muscles and analgesics NSAIDs will be recommended to improve symptoms.
If these methods dont improve symptoms, surgery will be suggested. Arthroscopic surgery is often performed to treat this condition. If there is too much cartilage damage, hip replacement surgery may be required.
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