Hip Impingement

9 July 2025

Overview

Femoro-Acetabular Impingement (FAI) occurs when extra bone (a cam or pincer lesion) causes abnormal contact between the femoral head and the rim of the hip socket. Repeated friction damages the labrum and cartilage, triggering groin pain and reduced range of motion, and can accelerate early hip osteoarthritis. Our consultant hip surgeons at The New Foscote Hospital provide rapid diagnosis, minimally invasive arthroscopic treatment and tailored physiotherapy to restore pain-free movement.

Common Causes

Cam lesion
(extra bone on femoral
head–neck junction)

Adolescent sports that stress the hip (football, hockey, dance)

Pincer lesion
(over-coverage of socket)

Developmental hip shape, acetabular over-coverage

Mixed impingement

Combination of cam + pincer – most common

High-impact activity

Sprinting, twisting or deep squatting sports

Previous childhood
hip disorder

Legg–Calvé–Perthes, slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Symptoms

Sharp or aching groin pain (sometimes buttock or thigh)
Discomfort when sitting low, driving, or deep bending
Clicking, catching or locking in the hip joint
Reduced internal rotation and flexion range
Pain on pivoting or rising from a chair
In athletes: loss of explosiveness or reduced performance

Without treatment, persistent FAI can progress to labral tears and early osteoarthritis.

Diagnosis at The New Foscote Hospital

Specialist clinical exam – FADIR/FABER impingement tests, gait assessment.
X-rays – detect cam or pincer morphology.
High-resolution MRI arthrogram – visualises labral and cartilage damage.
Diagnostic intra-articular anaesthetic injection – confirms hip as pain source.
Discussion of imaging with your consultant to plan care swiftly.

Treatment & Rehabilitation

Conservative care

Activity modification (avoid deep squats/pivots initially)
Short course NSAIDs (if suitable)
Targeted physiotherapy: hip-flexor stretching, gluteal/core strengthening, biomechanics correction
Guided steroid ± hyaluronic-acid injection for flare-ups

Surgical care

Hip arthroscopy (keyhole) to reshape cam/pincer lesion and repair or debride the labrum
Day-case or overnight stay with enhanced-recovery protocol

Rehab timeline

Protected weight-bearing 1–2 weeks, then graduated strengthening
Return to non-pivot sport ~8–10 weeks; contact or elite sport ~12–16 weeks (individualised)