The hip joint is known to bear frequent movement as well as a great amount of wear. Considered to be the biggest joint often titled a ball-and-socket joint, the hip is connected in a manner which fluid movement of the human frame. It contains a support of cartilage that works to avoid friction. Although it is deemed to be quite dependable, it however, is not imperishable, meaning if there becomes an issue with either the ball or the socket facet of the joint, it can prompt interference with the fluidness of motion. This continual damage to the hip can injure the cartilage which results in hip impingement, or in other terms, femoral acetabular impingement.
In its early stages, hip impingement does not cause many symptoms, but when symptoms do begin to arise, there is often pain situated in the groin area often prompted by flexion of the hip or walking, as well as a reduced range of motion. Progressively, symptoms become more noticeable as the condition continues, including; sitting for prolonged periods, night pain or pain when walking on level surfaces.
Two of the most common reasons for hip impingement include; cam impingement and pincer impingement.
Cam impingement is also referred to as an impairment of the ball situated at the head of the femur. This impingement refers to – when the ball is not a sphere, it is more elongated, the deformed section of the ball may become wedged in the socket as the hip is moved.
Pincer impingement is also known as an impairment of the socket. This specifies that if the anterior section of the socket or “acetabulum” protrudes further than it should, the neck of the femur, located below the ball, may clash with the acetabulum during any regular hip curve.
Red arrows indicate a “Cam Lesion”.
Blue arrows indicate a “Pincer Lesion”.