Hip Impingement
This video describes the relevant anatomy for femoroacetabular, or hip impingement.
Hip impingement (Femoroacetabular impingement) is caused by the compression of the labrum, a soft tissue of the hip joint. The labrum forms a “lip” around the socket part of the hip joint, providing stability, congruency and information to the brain about the joints position in space.
The labrum is soft and spongy. It may become “impinged” between the femur and the acetabular rim (attachment site of the labrum). Athletes often describe hip impingement as “pinching” when bringing the knee up and across the chest (hip flexion, adduction and internal rotation).
There are several causes. Acute trauma can tear the labrum, resulting in inflammation and catching inside the joint space. Chronically, a degenerative labrum can expose the underlying bone which can become bruised or otherwise degenerative as well. Some athletes have bony architecture that predispose them to this condition. Differences in femoral neck angulation, size of the femoral head compared to the acetabular fossa (socket portion of joint), and biomechanics can play a role in the development of femoroacetabular impingement.
Treatment for hip impingement should be based upon your examination. Depending on the cause, conservative care (physical therapy) or surgical intervention may be warranted.
If you are an athlete in Miami, FL experiencing hip pain with sports activities, reach out to contact us today to schedule an appointment. A physical therapy examination can help determine and treat the root cause of pain.