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Hip impingement surgery
- Care rated as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of our orthopaedic patients
- Expert treatment from our consultant-led multidisciplinary teams
- Appointments confirmed in as little as 24 hours
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Hip impingement surgery at HCA UK
Why choose us?
We understand that hip impingement can affect your day-to-day wellbeing and mobility. With fast access to advanced diagnostics and imaging, we can accurately diagnose your physical condition and recommend the best treatment for you.
Our dedicated hip specialists bring true depth of experience, with expertise in 10 specialist orthopaedic fields. They’ll work with other specialists in multidisciplinary teams to make sure you get the very highest standard of care. It’s why 97% of our patients say they’re likely to recommend HCA UK to family and friends.
You’ll be in safe hands with HCA UK.
Hip impingement happens when the ball and socket of your hip don’t glide together as smoothly as they should. Because of the way the hip or thigh bone is shaped, the two surfaces can end up rubbing against each other, which can lead to discomfort and stiffness.
It can also damage a rim of soft tissue, known as the labrum, which lines the socket and helps grip the ball. This can limit your range of movement, cause pain and potentially contribute to you developing hip arthritis as more cartilage and labrum are lost and your bones come into direct contact.
Typical symptoms of hip impingement are pain in your hip or groin and sometimes a catching sensation when moving. The pain usually feels like a dull but consistent ache in your groin and possibly along your thigh and in your buttocks, worsening when you bend or sit.
Hip impingement is most common in young to middle-aged adults, particularly athletes and dancers who twist their hips or squat a lot and develop the condition over time. An abnormally shaped hip joint can also be present from birth, going unrecognised if it doesn’t cause significant pain in its early stages.
Hip impingement, or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) surgery, is a minimally invasive procedure to reshape your bones, repair any damage and prevent further deterioration in your cartilage and bones. Afterwards, you can expect to move more freely, with less pain and stiffness.
We can confirm an appointment with a hip consultant within 24 hours, offering you fast access to the best treatment plans. We can usually arrange imaging tests on the same day of your appointment, if required.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to a specialist
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist hip and pelvis consultants
State of the art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
Your patient journey
Understanding the hip impingement surgery process
From the moment you step through the door until you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible. We do this by letting you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please contact your patient support team or clinical nurse specialist who will be able to help.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred, or you have a referral from a GP, your first consultation will usually be with one of our hip specialists so they can examine you, find out more about your symptoms, and address any questions or concerns you may have.
Your consultant will also arrange any imaging or diagnostic tests you might need, including X-ray, MRI or CT scans. We offer the full range of imaging across our hospital and outpatient locations, with reports from specialist radiologists who help the consultant diagnose hip impingement and other orthopaedic conditions accurately.
02
Preparation
Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer your questions, before letting you know to prepare for your surgery. Some tips for surgery include:
- Try to maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid smoking
- Remain active, possibly including doing specific exercises for your hip
- Arrange for help with travel and tasks such as shopping after surgery
- Make your home as comfortable and easy to get around as possible
- Avoid eating and drinking for a certain amount of time before surgery
03
Your procedure
Arthroscopic hip impingement surgery is usually done under general anaesthetic, which means you won’t be conscious during the procedure, but some patients receive a spinal anaesthetic instead, which only numbs your body below the waist. You’ll be able to discuss your options with your consultant.
Once you’ve received your anaesthetic, your surgeon will make small incisions in your hip and insert a tiny ‘arthroscopic’ camera that sends a live view of the inside of your hip joint to a screen. They may also insert fluid into your hip joint to wash it out and expand it for a better view.
They’ll then remove some of the cartilage or bone to reshape the joint surface and improve the fit between its components, a process known as osteoplasty. This may involve cutting away excess bone growth from the femoral head or the rim of your acetabulum, depending on your type of impingement. Your surgeon may also repair any cartilage damage.
The whole procedure usually takes one to two hours.
04
After care
You'll usually be cared for in hospital overnight after your procedure. You’ll be supported throughout by our dedicated orthopaedic clinical nurse specialists (CNS), as well as our highly trained physiotherapy team, who will support you to rebuild your strength and range of movement.
You'll need to arrange for someone to take you home from hospital. You'll also need help at home for a few weeks following the procedure. Your consultant will let you know how to care for your hip at home and manage pain in the days and weeks following surgery. You might need to use crutches for a short period to keep weight off your hip.
They'll also let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise, which will vary depending on their impact levels. Your recovery will be personal based on your age, fitness level and the nature of your operation. However, most people resume their normal activities without pain around six to eight weeks after surgery. Full recovery can take up to six months. Your medical team will arrange a follow-up appointment to remove your stitches and check your progress.
You’ll be able to contact your consultant at any time if you have any questions.
Our locations
Where can I have this procedure?
Across our extensive network of hospitals and treatment centres, our leading consultants are here to support you, from initial consultation through to aftercare. You can have your hip impingement surgery at the following locations:
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
FAQs
Yes, there are two main types of hip impingement:
Cam: When the femoral head or 'ball' of your hip has thickened, meaning it isn't perfectly round, doesn't fit your hip joint and causes friction with your acetabulum or 'socket'.
Pincer: When your acetabulum extends too far over your femoral head, causing the cartilage to get 'pinched' between the socket rim and front of the femoral head.
Both types can occur together and the treatments for both are generally the same. If you need an operation, your surgeon will remove the parts causing the abnormal contact and pain in your hip joint.
Hip impingement surgery aims to correct abnormal bone contact in your hip and reduce cartilage damage by reshaping the joint. Your consultant will discuss the likely outcomes with you. Key benefits typically include:
- Reduced pain and stiffness in your hip and groin
- Improved range of movement in your hip joint
- No more ‘clicking’ within your joint
- Return to exercise and daily activities that improve your quality of life
- Reduced risk of developing hip arthritis
Femoroacetabular impingement arthroscopic surgery is also a minimally invasive procedure. It involves very small incisions that minimise damage to nearby muscle and soft tissue. This means FAI hip surgery recovery is quicker and less painful than more invasive techniques.
Your hip impingement syndrome may be treatable with non-surgical options such as:
- Resting and limiting strenuous activities that involve bending and rotating your hip
- Taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around your hip
Your GP or orthopaedic consultant may recommend trying these before moving on to surgery. This can include using therapeutic injections to relieve pain while confirming whether it is coming from your hip or lower back and abdomen. If your symptoms persist, they may then recommend surgery.
In some cases, you could need more extensive, open surgery rather than a keyhole procedure. This involves larger incisions, meaning a longer hospital stay and recovery. If you’ve already lost a lot of cartilage in your joint, your surgeon may recommend hip replacement surgery instead.
You may be recommended FAI hip surgery by your orthopaedic consultant if:
- You've been diagnosed with hip impingement syndrome through examination and imaging
- It's causing you significant pain and impacting your quality of life
- Your hip pain hasn't responded to non-surgical treatments such as rest, physical therapy and therapeutic injections
Arthroscopic hip impingement surgery is a common, safe and effective procedure. As with all surgeries, there are some potential risks and side effects that your consultant will explain to you, relevant to your condition. Your surgical team will also take steps to minimise these risks.
Complications can include:
- Initial pain, stiffness, numbness or swelling in your hip, groin and/or thigh
- Infection at the point of incision
- Blood clots known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Poor reaction to anaesthesia, such as sickness
Symptoms of a hip impingement can include stiffness, as well as either dull aches or sharp pains in the groin, buttock, hip or thigh. Some people have a sensation of catching or locking in the hip joint which can make everyday activities difficult. The pain can also radiate down from the pelvic area to the knee.
Because of the pain and discomfort in the pelvic and back area, hip impingement can be confused with inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis or bursitis, as well as muscle strains and injuries. It can also be confused with a range of lower back problems.
The cost of your treatment will depend on the package of care your consultant recommends. For your peace of mind, we offer transparent pricing and will outline exactly what your consultant has included in your treatment package and the overall amount you can expect to pay.
“I was able to walk the same day, and I was discharged the next day, which was fantastic.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.