# Hip Impingement

- Link: https://carolinaona.com/orthopedic-hip-surgery/hip-impingement/
- Published: 2023-03-02T16:24:10-05:00
- Author: Dallas Clifton

# Hip Impingement

## Treatment in Spartanburg, Duncan, and Greenville, SC

 [Contact Us](https://carolinaona.com/contact-locations/)

### What is Hip Impingement?

Hip impingement, also called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), happens when the
femoral head, or “ball of the hip,” presses against the acetabulum, or “cup of the
hip.” When this happens, the cartilage around the acetabulum, called the labrum,
can get damaged. This can make the hip stiff and painful and can lead to arthritis.

## **Hip Impingement Symptoms**

Most people with FAI experience:

 * Pain or stiffness in their groin or upper thigh
 * Pain that occurs often or gets worse when the hips or waist are bent up, for 
   example:
    - When riding a bike
    - While tying shoes
    - When sitting for a long period of time.

## **Types of Femoroacetabular Impingement**

There are three types of hip impingement:

 * **Pincer –** This kind of impingement happens when extra bone grows past the 
   edge of the “cup” of the hip. Under the sharp edge of this cup, the labrum can
   be crushed
 * **Cam –** The femoral head (ball) is not round and can’t move smoothly inside
   the cup. The cartilage inside this cup is ground down by a bump that forms on
   the edge of the femoral head
 * **Combined –** Both pincer and cam types are present

## **Hip Impingement Treatment**

Depending on the severity of your condition, you may see improvement with nonsurgical
treatments. However, surgical treatments may be required for more severe cases of
impingement.

 * **Nonsurgical – **These may be suggested first to be more conservative

       * Rest, ice, compression, and elevation
       * Activity modification
       * Anti-inflammatory medications
       * Physical therapy

 * **Surgical – **For more severe cases of FAI, there are two main goals of [surgical treatment](https://carolinaona.com/orthopedic-hip-surgery/),
   which includes an arthroscopic procedure: 

    - To resolve the damage of the impingement
    - To correct the abnormality causing the impingement

![hip impingement](https://carolinaona.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/hip-impingement.
png "hip impingement")

## South Carolina Orthopedic Hip Arthritis Treatment Locations

### Spartanburg, South Carolina

1330 Boiling Springs Rd, Ste 1600
Spartanburg, SC 29303**[Directions to Spartanburg](https://www.google.com/maps?ll=34.989651,-81.944556&z=16&t=m&hl=en&gl=US&mapclient=embed&cid=2440482403906514492)**

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Contact us: (864) 501-0541

### Duncan, South Carolina

115 Deacon Tiller Ct.
Duncan, SC 29334**[Directions to Duncan](https://www.google.com/maps?ll=34.90768,-82.099136&z=16&t=m&hl=en&gl=US&mapclient=embed&cid=14639287591437661521)**

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Contact us: (864) 362-3461

### Greenville, South Carolina

220 Roper Mountain Road Ext
Greenville, SC 29615**[Directions To Greenville](https://www.google.com/maps?ll=34.848171,-82.314355&z=16&t=m&hl=en&gl=US&mapclient=embed&cid=2631107995411868678)**

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Contact us: (864) 582-6396

## **Hip Impingement FAQs**

## How Common is Femoroacetabular Impingement?

Hip impingement is a common reason why young people, adults, and athletes of all
ages experience hip pain.

## When Should I See an Orthopedic Hip Specialist for Hip Impingement?

If you are experiencing symptoms of hip impingement, it’s important to meet with
an orthopedic specialist to help alleviate the pain and correct the issue.

## What Causes Hip Impingement?

The ball-and-socket joint of the hip connects the thigh bone to the pelvis. People
with FAI have a problem with the ball (the top of the femur) or the socket (where
the ball sits), or both. The abnormality causes friction when the joint moves, which
can damage the cartilage and labrum in the area.

Most of the time, FAI symptoms are already there at birth. But they can happen later
in life, especially during the teenage years. People who are more active may feel
pain from hip impingement sooner than people who don’t do as much, however, in most
cases, exercise does not cause FAI itself.

 

**At Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates (CONA), our board-certified
physicians can help you get back to the things you love as fast as possible. If 
you are struggling with symptoms of hip impingement and the pain is interfering 
with your everyday life, click the button below today to book an appointment at 
one of our locations.**
[Request an Appointment](https://carolinaona.com/appointment-request-form/)