About
Need to know
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Symptoms of femoroacetabular impingement icon plus
There are two types of hip impingement: 'Cam' and 'Pincer'. Cam is when the head is not perfectly round and doesn't fit the joint. 'Pincer' is where the extra bone extends over the joint socket, causing the femur bone to bump into the rim of the socket. Both conditions wear down the shock absorbing cartilage in the hip joint and the nerve-packed seal around the edge of the joint (labrum). This causes pain and makes it hard to move. Other symptoms include:
- stiffness in the thigh, hip, or groin
- the inability to flex the hip beyond a right angle
- pain in the groin area
- pain in the hip, groin, or lower back when resting
- clicking of the hip
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Diagnosis icon plus
Your consultant will discuss your symptoms to help make a thorough diagnosis. FAI can affect people of all ages, and is often missed in 30-40-year-olds. Taking a careful history, and carrying out a thorough examination can help identify the likely cause. Imaging, such as an MRI scan (sometimes with an arthrogram) of the hip, can help confirm the underlying diagnosis (as X-ray cannot rule out FAI). A CT scan can also be very helpful giving a 3D reconstruction of the joint. Consultants skilled in sports injury are often experts at identifying FAI. -
Potential treatment options icon plus
FAI may require keyhole surgery (hip arthroscopy) to reshape the joints, but in some cases injection therapy and robust physiotherapy or osteopathy may be enough to get a person back to full activity. An abnormally shaped femoral head or hip socket can often be sculpted and reshaped. These procedure restore smooth movement in the hip and reduce pain. If there is an associated labral tear, this is often repaired.
Our facilities
From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
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The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place
London W1U 5NY
Appointments 0207 908 8001
Enquiries 020 3130 6833
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The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place
London NW8 9LE
Appointments 0207 483 5148
Enquiries 020 3131 7478
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London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2PR
Appointments and Enquiries 020 7234 2009
Imaging Appointments. 020 7234 2773
Switchboard 020 7407 3100 -
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road
London
SW1W 8RH
Appointments 020 7811 4000
Enquiries 020 3131 4978
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The Portland Hospital
205 - 209 Great Portland Street
London
W1W 5AH
Children's enquiries 020 7390 8020
Maternity enquiries 020 7390 6068
Gynaecology enquiries 020 7390 6200
Request an appointment
We're happy to help you make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.