Hip Impingement
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) or hip impingement occurs when the ball of the hip or femoral head pinches against the cup of the hip or acetabulum. Damage is caused to the labrum or cartilage surrounding the acetabulum when this occurs. This can cause pain and stiffness leading to arthritis.
Board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan provides treatments for hip impingement to patients in Los Angeles, Century City, CA, and surrounding locations.
Hip Impingement Types
FAI is of two main types. The first happens because of a deformity to the ball or femoral head. The ball in such an impingement is less round and more oval in appearance. Friction is created by this shape whenever the ball hits the cup edge.
When the acetabulum (cup) is shaped abnormally, the second type of impingement occurs. Femur may be excessively covered by the cup creating friction around the edge of the cup. You may have a combination of both types of hip impingement as well.
Hip Impingement Signs and Symptoms
Pain and stiffness in the front of the thigh or groin area is experienced by patients with FAI. This is made worse because of bending at the waist or hip while riding a bike, sitting for lengthy periods or tying shoes.
Hip Impingement Risk Factors
Abnormal shape of the femoral head is thought to be since birth in most people. However, it is possible for the abnormal shape to occur over time. This is frequently seen in young athletes that do a lot of squatting and hip twisting. The abnormal shape can also be caused by certain conditions, such as slipped capital femoral epiphysis.
Diagnosis of Hip Impingement
There are a number of factors that determine the diagnosis of him impingement. This includes physical exam, history and imaging. Your doctor may ask for x-rays to be done to evaluate the shape. You would also need certain special views, such as an MRI scan unless you have already got those done by a hip specialist.
Treatment of Hip Impingement
Nonsurgical Treatment
Conservative treatment may first be recommended by your doctor, such as activity modification, rest, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications. You may be a surgery candidate if pain doesn’t seem to improve with these noninvasive interventions.
Surgical Treatment
FAI surgeries have two main goals. The first goal is to address your hip joint’s damaged portion. This may involve removal and repair of damaged tissue. The other goal is to improve or correct the abnormal shape of the hip joint. This is usually done in through an arthroscope that involves the removal of extra bone.
Narrow instruments and small incisions are made in this procedure. The surgeon will look inside the hip with the help of a camera. However, you may require larger incisions if the surgeon feels that the procedure needs to be more extensive. This would involve a stay of 2 – 4 days at the hospital.
A specialist in orthopedic surgery of the hip, Dr. Garabekyan receives patients from Los Angeles, Century City, CA, and nearby areas for safe and proven hip procedures.
Contact the Southern California Hip Institute
Dr. Tigran Garabekyan is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation. To learn more about Southern California Hip Institute or to schedule a consultation, click here to contact us or call:
Century City / Los Angeles: 310.595.1030
Serving patients in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Century City, West Hollywood, North Hollywood Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Burbank, Glendale and other neighboring cities in the greater Los Angeles, California area.
Also visit http://www.drgorthopedics.com/
