(AKA: Femoral Acetabular Impingement)

What is it?

Femoroacetabular Impingement FAI is a condition resulting from abnormal pressure and friction between the ball and socket of the hip joint resulting in pain and progressive hip dysfunction. This when left untreated leads to the development of secondary osteoarthritis of the hip.

Femoroacetabular Impingement is a well described pathologic condition that has been associated with predisposing factors including slipped capital femoral epiphysis, abnormal extension of the femoral head epiphysis, and acetabular retroversion. Impingement can occur as a result of femoral sided impingement (Cam impingement), acetabular rim impingement (pincer impingement), or a combination of both which is the case in the majority of patients.

Click here to find out more about Femoroacetabular Impingement in a interactive presentation.