What Is Hip Impingement?

Did you know that the hip is one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the human body? Therefore, it is very common to experience problems with the hip. The hip is a complicated joint consisting of the femoral head, which is a ball-shaped piece of bone at the top of your thigh bone, and the acetabulum, which is the socket that the femoral head fits into. If you are starting to experience hip pain, you may have a hip impingement. Visit an orthopedist in White Plains NY, at New York Sports Medicine Institute if you are experiencing pain. 

What is Hip Impingement?

Hip impingement is a condition in which the ball-and-socket joint experiences damaging friction and unusual contact. The technical term for hip impingement is femoroacetabular impingement. This condition is common in young athletes. Understanding the symptoms and getting help is very important in order to avoid more damage that can be detrimental as you get older.  

Hip Impingement Symptoms

Hip impingements usually are not painful in the early stages, so you may have hip impingement for years and never know it. The main symptom is a pain in the groin, specifically when walking or flexing the hip. As time goes on, you may start to feel pain in simple activities such as walking up a hill or sitting for a long period of time. 

Hip Impingement Causes 

There are two main causes of hip impingement:

• Cam Impingement: Deformity of the ball at the top of the thigh bone (femur). When the ball or the head of the femur is abnormally shaped, it can jam in the socket when the hip is bent. Typically this occurs in activities such as riding a bike. 
• Pincer Impingement: This is the deformity of the socket. If the acetabulum, which is the front rim of the socket, sticks out, the neck of the thigh bone just below the ball may bump into the rim of the socket with flexion of the hip. 

Hip Impingement Diagnosis 

An orthopedist in White Plains NY can diagnose the problem based on your symptoms, a physical exam, and imaging tests. The imaging tests include:

• X-ray: An x-ray creates images of the internal structure of the hip. With these images, you can see if any irregularities in the ball or acetabulum are present. 
• MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging uses radio waves, large magnets, and a computer to create an image of the tissues inside the body. This will show any tears of the cartilage that runs along the outside of the socket. 
• CT Scan: This test produces images of the inside of the body through the use of x-ray equipment and computers. It is used to show the doctor the detailed structure of the joint. Both the CT Scan and the MRI can help a doctor decide whether or not you will need surgery.

Hip Impingement Treatments

Treatment for hip impingement includes first resting the hip. You will want to modify activities to avoid any movement that causes pain. Physical therapists or orthopedists in White Plains NY can assist you in recommending certain exercises that will strengthen muscles that support the hip. With strengthening the muscles around the hip comes a reduction in inflammation. To further reduce inflammation, though, your orthopedist may prescribe you pain medications or anti-inflammatory medication. If none of the treatments listed above relieve your pain, your orthopedist in White Plains NY may recommend surgery. If you fail to treat hip impingement, it may lead to hip osteoarthritis in the future. 

Hip Impingement Surgery

The earlier you get surgery, the better your recovery will be and the more effective it will be in reducing pain. Depending on the problem that is causing the hip impingement and the amount of cartilage that has been damaged, there are different types of surgeries that may be performed. Hip impingement surgery is usually performed arthroscopically, which involves inserting a lighted scope and thin tools through an incision. If the cartilage damage is serious, the only way to relieve pain and improve mobility is by getting a hip replacement.  

Contact Us

If you have hip pain, contact New York Sports Medicine Institute to talk to an orthopedist in White Plains NY. Our team will work with you to address your pain and explore treatment options to alleviate the effects of your hip pain and strengthen the joint to protect it from any future damage. If you want to live pain-free, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.