In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about hip impingement and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.
What is Hip Impingement?
Hip impingement, or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), occurs when abnormal contact between the ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum) of the hip joint leads to cartilage and labral damage. This can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, and is a significant cause of early hip osteoarthritis, especially in people under 40.
Causes of Hip Impingement
Hip impingement may result from:
- Abnormally shaped femoral head or neck
- Socket (acetabulum) deformity
- Developmental abnormalities
- Repetitive hip flexion (common in athletes)
- Previous injuries or conditions (e.g., Perthes disease, SCFE)
Repeated “bumping” of the femur against the socket rim causes cartilage and labral damage over time.
Types of Hip Impingement
- Cam impingement: Malformation of the femoral head causes it to jam in the socket during hip flexion.
- Pincer impingement: Extra bone on the socket rim causes the femoral neck to collide with the socket during movement.
- Combined impingement: Both cam and pincer features are present.
Symptoms
Hip impingement may be painless in early stages. As it progresses, symptoms include:
- Groin pain, especially with walking or hip flexion
- Reduced hip range of motion
- Pain with prolonged sitting, going up slopes, or at night
- Advanced cases: pain during daily activities, indicating cartilage wear (osteoarthritis)
Diagnosis
Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent cartilage deterioration and osteoarthritis. Diagnosis includes:
- Medical history and physical examination (range of motion, impingement tests)
- X-rays for bone structure
- MRI for soft tissue and labral assessment
- CT scan for detailed joint anatomy (often before surgery)
Hip Impingement Treatment
Nonsurgical Treatment
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy to strengthen hip muscles and improve mobility
- Activity modification to avoid painful movements
- Anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications
- Rest and exercise modification
If conservative measures fail, surgery may be recommended.
Surgical Treatment
- Arthroscopic or open surgery to repair or remove damaged tissue and reshape the hip joint
- Arthroscopy is minimally invasive and suitable for many young, active patients
- Open surgery may be needed for severe cases
- Post-surgical rehabilitation typically lasts 3–4 months
Prolotherapy for Hip Impingement
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat hip impingement.
Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative benefits.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This stimulates the production of collagen cells, which are essential for repairing the damage and helping hip impingement.
As prolotherapy treats the root cause of hip impingement, it is considered a long-term solution, preventing symptoms from returning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hip impingement?
Hip impingement (femoroacetabular impingement, FAI) is a condition where abnormal contact between the femoral head and acetabulum causes pain, stiffness, and joint damage.
What are the symptoms of hip impingement?
Groin pain, reduced hip range of motion, pain with activity or sitting, and in advanced cases, pain during daily activities.
How is hip impingement diagnosed?
Through physical examination, X-rays, MRI, and sometimes CT scans to assess bone and soft tissue structure.
Can hip impingement lead to arthritis?
Yes, untreated hip impingement can cause cartilage damage and lead to early osteoarthritis.
What are the treatment options for hip impingement?
Conservative management (physical therapy, medication, activity modification) and, if needed, surgery or regenerative treatments like Prolotherapy.
Case Study: Prolotherapy for Hip Impingement
Case: A 32-year-old football player with chronic hip impingement unresponsive to physiotherapy and medications underwent three sessions of Prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic. The patient reported a 65% reduction in pain and returned to sport within three months, highlighting the potential of regenerative treatments for persistent hip impingement.
Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
Don’t let hip impingement control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
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Phone: +44 1234 380345
Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk
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Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating hip impingement, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with hip impingement and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
LinkedIn profile: Oliver Eaton
References
- Femoroacetabular Impingement – OrthoInfo – AAOS. (2015). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/femoroacetabular-impingement/
- Hip Impingement Pain | Nonsurgical & Surgical Treatments. (2021). Hospital for Special Surgery. https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_hip-impingement.asp
- Kuhlman, G. S., & Domb, B. G. (2021). Hip Impingement: Identifying and Treating a Common Cause of Hip Pain. American Family Physician, 80(12), 1429–1434. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2009/1215/p1429.html
- Physical Therapy Guide to Hip Impingement (Femoroacetabular Impingement). (2013, August 7). American Physical Therapy Association. https://www.choosept.com/symptomsconditionsdetail/physical-therapy-guide-to-hip-impingement-femoroacetabular
- Parker, A. (2013). Pain Due to Hip Impingement (Femoroacetabular Impingement). Sports-Health. https://www.sports-health.com/sports-injuries/hip-injuries/pain-due-hip-impingement-femoroacetabular-impingement