Hip impingement, also called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), causes the abnormal and wearing contact between the hip joint’s ball and socket. In this condition, there is increased friction during hip motions which may damage the joint.
Patients usually experience pain in the groin after sitting or walking for prolonged durations. Many athletes typically report pain in the groin during deep flexion or rotation of the hip. At times, there may be popping or clicking in the front of the hip.
The pain may also extend to the side of the thigh and in the rear. It is vital to exclude other reasons for pain in this area which may initiate in the abdomen or low back.
Hip impingement or femoroacetabular impingement treatment starts with nonsurgical, conservative approaches such as anti-inflammatory drugs, rest, activity modification, and physical therapy.
Patients may also experience relief with an anesthetic or steroid injection in the hip joint. When the patient requires surgery, arthroscopic hip surgery can usually effectively treat femoroacetabular impingement.
Southern California Hip Institute (SCHI), led by board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan, provides orthopedic surgery to patients in Los Angeles, Century City, CA, and surrounding locations.
How is Impingement Diagnosed?
In the diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement, medical imagery using x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential. An x-ray can display whether there is an excess of bone on the femoral neck or head, and on the acetabular rim. An MRI can help the doctor view fraying or tears of the labrum or cartilage.
Conservative (Nonsurgical) Treatment for Femoroacetabular Impingement
The treatment of femoroacetabular impingement should always initially focus on nonsurgical treatment.
A regimen of rest, modifying activities, physical therapy, and/or anti-inflammatory drugs can often resolve femoroacetabular impingement. These conservative treatments have been effective in the reduction of inflammation and pain in the joint.
In case the pain is persistent, it may sometimes be necessary to distinguish between the pain originating from the hip joint from pain initiating in the abdomen or lower back. Injecting the hip with a steroid and analgesic is a proven way to differentiate between the two types of pain.
Hip Arthroscopy in the Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement
Hip arthroscopy, also known as “hip scope,” is a minimally invasive surgery. Arthroscope use allows the surgeon to place two or three tiny incisions instead of a larger incision that they would need to place in the case of a more invasive “open” surgery.” They will use these tiny incisions (“portals”) to insert surgical tools into the joint.
On top of this, developments in arthroscope technology allow the flow of saline through the joint during the surgery offering the surgeon a clear view of the area. Fluoroscopy which is a portable x-ray apparatus also aids the surgery. It helps ensure that the surgical tools and arthroscope are inserted appropriately.
The surgeon will remove the damaged tissue and loose fragments within the joint. Sometimes, they may need to drill holes into patches of bare bone where there has been cartilage loss. This procedure is known as “microfracture,” and it prompts the development of new cartilage where it has been lost.
This is an outpatient procedure which allows the patient to undergo surgery in the morning and return home on the same day. The surgeon usually performs this procedure with the patient under local anesthesia.
Board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan receives patients from Los Angeles, Century City, CA, and nearby areas for orthopedic surgery.
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 Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Century City, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and other neighboring cities in the greater Los Angeles, California area.
Also visit http://www.drgorthopedics.com/
