Hip Impingement: Unlocking the Causes and Treatment

Understanding Hip Impingement

Hip impingement is a broad term encompassing several conditions that limit hip mobility. The most prevalent form, known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), occurs when abnormal contact arises between the thigh bone’s top and the hip joint socket. Beyond restricting motion, FAI can lead to progressive hip joint damage and chronic hip pain, potentially evolving into hip arthritis. At City Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, our highly skilled doctors excel in addressing chronic hip pain and hip impingement disorders. We collaborate with you to pinpoint the root cause of your hip discomfort and guide you toward lasting relief.

Causes of Hip Impingement

Hip impingement emerges when irregular contact occurs within the hip bone’s ball-and-socket structure, often due to excessive bone growth in specific joint areas. Three main categories of hip impingement exist:

1. Pincer Impingement: Characterized by excessive growth in the hip bone’s “socket” region, known as acetabular rim deformity.
2. Cam Impingement: Involves bone deformity with abnormal bone growth in the upper thigh bone, or the “ball” portion of the hip bone.
3. Combined Impingement: Arises from bone deformities leading to excessive bone growth in both the “ball” and “socket” segments of the hip joint.

Recognizing Hip Impingement Symptoms

Consult our orthopedic physicians in New York if you encounter any of these hip impingement symptoms:

• Groin pain
• Reduced hip mobility
• Hip pain during sports or physical activity
• Hip discomfort disrupting sleep
• Hip pain with prolonged sitting

Diagnosing Hip Impingement

City Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine diagnoses hip impingement through a comprehensive in-office examination conducted by our fellowship-trained orthopedists. During your visit, we assess your symptoms, inquire about the location and severity of hip pain, and conduct a physical hip examination to detect irregularities. In most cases, we perform imaging tests to rule out other hip conditions and pinpoint the specific cause of hip discomfort. These imaging tests typically include:

• X-rays
• CT scans
• MRI scans

Effective Hip Impingement Treatments

Whenever possible, we initiate treatment for hip impingement with conservative measures before considering surgery. Many individuals can achieve relief from hip impingement through personalized non-surgical treatment plans, which may include:

• Physical therapy to enhance range of motion
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Lifestyle and activity modifications
• Hip injections

At City Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, we prioritize your well-being and strive to provide the most effective and minimally invasive solutions for hip impingement. Your journey to overcoming hip discomfort starts here.