Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) in Mona Vale
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), commonly called hip impingement, is associated with differences in the shape of the hip joint that can contribute to pain during certain movements and activities.
Symptoms are commonly felt around the groin or front of the hip and may be aggravated by prolonged sitting, deep squatting, running or sport.
At Helix Recovery, we'll assess your hip movement, strength and activity demands to determine the factors contributing to your symptoms and develop a personalised treatment and rehabilitation plan.
What is Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint formed by the head of the femur and the socket of the pelvis.
With FAI, variations in the shape of the femur (cam morphology), hip socket (pincer morphology), or a combination of both can result in earlier contact between these structures during certain hip movements.
Importantly, these anatomical variations are also commonly found in people without hip pain. Having cam or pincer morphology on a scan does not automatically mean it is responsible for your symptoms.
When the morphology is associated with characteristic symptoms and clinical findings, it may be referred to as femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS).
Common Symptoms
Pain around the groin or front of the hip
Pain with deep squatting
Discomfort during prolonged sitting
Pain getting in or out of a car
Symptoms during running or sport
Reduced or uncomfortable hip movement
Clicking or catching in some cases
Pain with movements involving deep hip flexion and rotation
How We Assess Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Assessment considers your symptoms, hip movement, strength and the activities that reproduce your pain.
Your assessment may include hip range of motion, strength and functional testing such as squatting and single-leg movements, as well as examination of the lower back and surrounding structures where relevant.
Imaging can identify cam or pincer morphology, but these findings are interpreted alongside your symptoms rather than being assumed to be the cause of your pain.
How We Treat Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Treatment depends on how long symptoms have been present, their severity and the activities you want to return to.
Treatment may include:
Osteopathic manual therapy
Shockwave therapy
Progressive exercise rehabilitation
Hip and gluteal strengthening
Improving hip and lower-limb movement control
Modification of aggravating positions or training loads
Gradual return to gym, running and sport
Shockwave Therapy for Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Shockwave therapy does not change the shape of the hip joint or remove cam or pincer morphology.
However, it may be incorporated into treatment where appropriate to help reduce pain and address sensitive muscles, tendons and other soft tissues surrounding the hip.
It can be used alongside osteopathic manual therapy and progressive exercise rehabilitation to improve comfort and help you participate effectively in rehabilitation.
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No. These anatomical variations are relatively common in people without symptoms. A diagnosis of FAI syndrome considers your symptoms, examination findings and imaging together rather than relying on a scan alone.
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Not necessarily forever. If deep hip flexion currently reproduces your symptoms, squat depth may initially be modified while strength and tolerance are developed. Your ability to return to deeper positions depends on your individual presentation and goals.
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Not always. Imaging may be useful when symptoms persist, the diagnosis is uncertain or conditions such as a labral injury are suspected.
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No. Many people can improve with activity modification and progressive rehabilitation. Surgery may be considered when significant symptoms continue despite appropriate conservative management.
Common Questions
Ready to Move More Comfortably?
Whether hip pain is affecting sitting, gym training, running or sport, we'll assess the factors contributing to your symptoms and develop a treatment plan tailored to your goals.