Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
If you’re experiencing hip stiffness, groin/hip/buttock/back pain and other similar symptoms, then it is a good idea to have yourself checked for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).
What is FAI?
Simply put, FAI is a movement-related hip pathology where the ball and socket of the joint do not glide as they are supposed to. It can be caused by the flattening of the femoral head, the formation of a pincer-like bony growth on the affected socket, or a combination of both.
What causes FAI?
The most common causes are trauma or injury to the hip, constant exposure to repetitive hip flexion and/or rotation exercises, previous hip surgery, and congenital abnormalities from birth.
What are the symptoms of FAI?
The most common symptoms of FAI are as follows:
- Stiffness of the hip
- Pain in the groin, hip, buttocks, or back
- Clicking, locking, or catching of the hip joint
How is FAI treated?
Our specialists here at Sydney Pelvic Clinic manage the symptoms of FAI through targeted manual therapy intended to release the muscles around the hip, the introduction of targeted hip/lumbopelvic stability exercises, and the elimination of poor form.
A significant percentage of our patients fully recover and regain total pain-free mobility. More serious cases, however, typically require corrective surgery to fix the structural impingement.
