Hip impingement is when your hip feels pinched, stuck, or sore when you move. It often shows up during everyday things like sitting, squatting, or running. Over time, this can make your hips feel stiff and uncomfortable — but the good news is, with the right approach, you can ease the pain and get your hips moving freely again.
Types of Hip Impingements:
- Cam type FAI: abnormal shape of proximal femur. The head of the femur should be spherical to aid in smooth articulation of the ball and socket joint. An abnormal head formation leads to friction and damage to the articular cartilage lining the acetabular rim next to the labrum. Most common movement limited is flexion, internal rotation and adduction.
- Pincer type FAI: excessive formation of bone at acetabular rim. This leads to impingement of the acetabular labrum itself with less chances of demonstrating damage to cartilage on radiographic examination.
- Mixed: damage to acetabular rim cartilage as well as labrum. Worse clinical prognosis.
| Extra-articular impingement | Intra-articular (femoroacetabular) |
| Ischiofemoral | CAM |
| Subspine | Pincer |
| Iliopsoas | Mixed |
| Deep gluteal syndrome | |
| Pectineofoveal |
Signs and Symptoms
- Clicking
- Catching
- Locking
- Movement restriction
- Joint stiffness
For Diagnostic Purposes
Questionnaires: Modified Harris Hip Score, International Hip Outcome Tools (ihot-33 and iHOT-12)
Physical examination: FADIR (94% sensitivity; 8% specificity)
Imaging: AP and lateral view radiograph.
- Cam type is defined by the alpha angle (>60 degrees).
- Pincer type is defined by the lateral center edge angle (LCEA).
- Angle greater than 40o is diagnostic of pincer type.
An MRI would provide more information if available.
Non-Operative Treatment
- Rest
- NSAID’s
- Avoid sitting cross-legged for long periods of time.
- Rehabilitation to help strengthen intrinsic hip muscles
For the Full Program:
Available now in our premium membership portal — My Next Move.
🎯 For only R250/month, you get:
- This Hip Impingement program + new programs every month
- 1x online consult to guide your journey (15-20 minutes)
- Access to our symptom tracker and referral support
- Slow Movement programs
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Yours in health,
The Traverse Health Team
