Femoroacetabular Impingement

Femoroacetabular impingement is a condition in which the hip bones do not fit together properly, so they rub against each other and cause damage to the joint. The hip bones normally form a ball-and-socket type of joint, in which the ball-shaped top portion of the thighbone, known as the femoral head, is firmly positioned in the center of a cup-like depression in the pelvic bone called the acetabulum. When one or both of these bones fail to develop normally during childhood, proper joint alignment does not occur. Constant rubbing of the hip bones eventually causes bone spurs to develop in the area. Over time, this can cause tearing of the cartilage on the surface of the femoral head and acetabulum, which is a sign that osteoarthritis has now developed in the joint.

Here at YourOrthoSolution, we have some of the top orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians in the country. We are dedicated to getting you back to the things you love through a customized plan that fits only you. Our caring team always goes that extra step to make you feel like part of our family. We specialize in treating conditions like femoroacetabular impingement and want to help you start the healing process as quickly as possible to get you on the path to recovery.

Symptoms

Symptoms of femoroacetabular impingement typically include:

• Pain – usually in the groin area, but it is sometimes more toward the outside of the hip. Sharp stabbing pain may occur with turning, twisting, and squatting.
• Stiffness of the hip joint
• Limping

Treatment

Nonsurgical

Nonsurgical treatment is the first approach to treating femoroacetabular impingement. This typically includes:

• Activity modification – avoiding activities that worsen the pain
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Physical therapy – including stretching exercises to reduce stiffness, as well as exercises to improve muscle strength around the hip joint, which may help reduce stress on painful areas of the joint.

Surgical

If your pain is not sufficiently relieved by nonsurgical treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery. In many people, this can be accomplished with arthroscopic surgery. By inserting a small camera, called an arthroscope, your surgeon can view images displayed on a high-definition monitor screen while he or she guides miniature surgical instruments through small incisions.

YourOrthoSolution is always keeping you, the patient, in mind and looking for the least-invasive way to repair all injuries. The smaller the incision, the less trauma to the muscle and other tissues. This produces less bleeding and scarring and leads to quicker recovery time.

During arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement, your doctor can repair or remove any areas of damage to the labrum and articular cartilage. He or she can also correct the impingement by trimming the bony rim of the acetabulum and/or shaving down the bump on the femoral head. If the deformities are very severe, arthroscopic may not be adequate, and an open operation with a larger incision may be required to correct the impingement.

Arthroscopic surgery is generally performed at an outpatient surgery center. There are many advantages to outpatient surgery centers versus hospitals, including better outcomes, lower infection rates, no overnight stay, lower costs, and the convenience that comes with a smaller, yet highly skilled, staff.

All of our doctors and staff at YourOrthoSolution are committed to ensuring that you not only receive the best orthopedic care in the area but also have an exceptional experience each time you visit our locations. Our dedicated staff will handle all insurance processes for you. You can expect to be in a friendly atmosphere and receive top orthopedic treatment to help you return to your usual activities as quickly as possible.