Hip impingement is a condition in which abnormal contact between the hip bones causes pain and limited movement. It can be treated with physical therapy, medication, and in some cases, surgery.
Hip impingement or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) occurs when the hip joint tends to experience unusual contact between the femur and the pelvis during movement. Excruciating pain and limited range of motion can be felt. This condition is not only seen in sportspeople but also in people of all ages. This condition develops slowly and can become more severe with the passage of time. This condition will affect the person’s quality of life and interfere with their ability to perform daily tasks with ease. It can cause great distress to the person suffering from it. Many lifestyle factors also contribute to this condition. For example, repetitive movements common in sports such as football can exacerbate the wear and tear of the joint cartilage, while sedentary habits can weaken the supporting muscles around the hip, increasing vulnerability. This condition is also considered to be one of the causes of early hip osteoarthritis, especially in people under the age of 45.
Causes
Hip impingement can cause discomfort by affecting mobility. This condition occurs due to an anatomical variation involving an irregular shape of the femoral head or acetabulum, which causes abnormal contact between the surfaces of the hip joint during movement. Genetics and high-impact sports that cause repetitive flexion and rotation of the hip lead to this condition. Additionally, biomechanical imbalances in muscle strength and flexibility can place excessive stress on the hip joint, exacerbating structural problems and causing this condition.
Symptoms
Symptoms include a clicking or popping sensation during movement, especially when performing activities such as squatting or sitting cross-legged, discomfort when performing any activity, hip pain when walking, stiffness in the hip and groin, lower back pain, and inability to flex the hip. A doctor should be consulted after experiencing these symptoms.
Diagnosis
The surgeon will take your medical history and perform a physical examination. You will be asked to undergo an X-ray, MRI or CT scan to check the detailed structure of your hip joints. Treatment will be repeated once the diagnosis is confirmed.
Treatment
According to Dr Aashish Arbat, an orthopaedic surgeon and joint replacement specialist at Jehangir Multi-Specialty Hospital, Pune, “This condition is treated by adopting a multidisciplinary approach to address both the symptoms and the underlying biomechanical issues that are causing discomfort to the patient. The patient is advised to take medication and rest. Physiotherapy is important and is personalised to the patient to improve flexibility, strength and range of motion in the hip joint. Severe cases may require arthroscopy which provides pain relief and improves mobility and overall quality of life.”
He added that “during this surgery, the surgeon manages structural problems, such as bone spurs or labral tears, with remarkable precision. This minimally invasive surgery results in less postoperative discomfort and faster recovery times compared to traditional open surgeries, making it an attractive option for those who want to return to their routines without further problems. By identifying and correcting malformations, before they lead to severe arthritis or chronic damage, surgeons can preserve the patient’s joint function.”
This surgery is safe, blood loss is minimal, the risk of complications is lower, it does not cause any trauma to the joint, and it is performed on an outpatient basis. This surgery can delay or help avoid hip replacement and improve quality of life.
