Femoroacetabular Impingement

Femoroacetabular impingement affects the hip joint, causing painful friction and inflammation. If you have hip pain, visit Austin Sports Medicine in Texas. The highly skilled clinicians serve the community in and around Central and South Austin, as well as Bee Cave, Cedar Park, and Pflugerville. They use advanced diagnostic imaging to evaluate your hips and offer comprehensive care ranging from physical therapy to orthopedic surgery. Call your nearest Austin Sports Medicine office today or use the online form to book a femoroacetabular impingement assessment.

What is femoroacetabular impingement?

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is when extra bone develops on one or both of the bones forming your hip joint — the femur (thigh bone) and the acetabulum (hip socket).

These irregular shapes cause the bones to rub against one another during movement, leading to pain, stiffness, and joint damage over time.

What causes femoroacetabular impingement?

FAI usually develops during the teen or young adult years as the bones grow. It may be due to genetics, high-impact sports, or abnormal hip development, known as CAM morphology. Over time, the repeated friction can damage cartilage and lead to hip labral tears or arthritis.

Common femoroacetabular impingement symptoms include:

• Pain in the front or side of the hip, especially during activity
• Hip stiffness or limited range of motion
• Clicking or locking sensations in the hip
• Discomfort when sitting for long periods

Austin Sports Medicine offers onsite advanced imaging to diagnose FAI. Your provider identifies the exact type and severity of the impingement so they can create the best treatment plan for you.

Open MRI helps them see the labrum in detail. The Quantum© Digital Imaging System X-ray allows them to view the bone structure and shape of the hip joint. Ultrasound can assess soft tissue movement and guide treatments like injections.

What treatments help with femoroacetabular impingement?

Austin Sports Medicine offers nonsurgical and surgical FAI treatments, depending on your symptoms and activity goals.

Nonsurgical options include:

Physical therapy

Physical therapy reduces strain on the joint while improving hip strength, flexibility, and range of motion.

Orthobiologics

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may help to support soft tissue healing.

Steroid injections

Steroids are anti-inflammatories that reduce soft tissue inflammation in the joints. Your provider uses image guidance to deliver the injection accurately.

The Austin Sports Medicine team might recommend hip arthroscopy if nonsurgical treatments don’t provide enough relief. This minimally invasive surgery reshapes the bone to prevent further impingement.

Your surgeon can also repair or remove torn cartilage (labral tears) and smooth damaged areas to restore normal motion.

People often undergo physical therapy after surgery to rebuild strength and mobility. Depending on the procedure, many return to sports or active lifestyles within 3-6 months.

Early diagnosis and care are key to preventing long-term joint damage and arthritis. To arrange a femoroacetabular impingement evaluation, call Austin Sports Medicine today or use the online booking feature to schedule a consultation.