Overview of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome

Figure 1. Key practice points for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. [NB1]

Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome is thought to be associated with anatomical hip abnormality but there is limited evidence to support this.
May be associated with acetabular-labral tear.
Diagnosis is clinical and investigations are usually not required.
Treatment is symptomatic with oral analgesia, avoidance of aggravating activities, support for the person’s mental health and gradual reintroduction to exercise (including a progressive-loading program).

Note: NB1: This list is a summary guide only; refer to full text.

Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome is an ill-defined syndrome of deep pain felt in the hip that is worsened by repetitive vigorous movements at the extremes of hip-joint motion. It is often attributed to anatomical abnormalities of the acetabulum or femur seen on imaging but these findings are also common in asymptomatic people.

Key practice points for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome lists some key practice points for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome is often associated with acetabular-labral tears and both femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and acetabular-labral tears are associated with osteoarthritis of the hip.