Hip impingement (also called femoroacetabular impingement) is a condition in which there is abnormal alignment of and contact between the bones that form the ball-and-socket of the hip joint. The result is increased friction during hip movements that may damage the joint.
Hip impingement produces #groinpain after prolonged sitting or walking. Many athletes often describe pain in the groin with deep flexion or rotation of the hip during activity. Occasionally, a popping or clicking in the front of the #hipjoint is described. Pain may also radiate along the side of the thigh and in the buttocks. It is important to rule out other causes of pain in this area which may originate in the low back or abdomen.
Treatment of #hipimpingement begins with conservative, nonsurgical methods. Rest, activity modifications, careful use of anti-inflammatory medications, and a course of physical therapy are often successful in alleviating symptoms. An injection of the hip joint with anesthetic and steroid can also provide some relief, as well as diagnostic information in patients with symptoms which are unresponsive to treatment. When surgery is necessary, hip impingement can usually be treated with arthroscopic hip surgery.
