Current concepts in the diagnosis and management of femoroacetabular impingement

Abstract

Femoroacetabular impingement is becoming increasingly recognised as a cause of hip pain in the young adult. It is thought that the condition may lead to acetabular labral tears, chondro-labral separation, chondral delamination and eventually predispose to osteoarthritis of the hip. Efforts have thus been directed to diagnosing and treating the underlying pathology and subsequent sequelae. This article presents the relevant literature with regards to the aetiology of femoroacetabular impingement, its clinical features, investigations and options of management. Finally outcomes relating to both open and arthroscopic approaches to treatment are discussed.

Fig. 1

Labral tear in the anterosuperior region of the acetabulum

Fig. 2

Chondral lesion in the anterosuperior region of the acetabulum

Fig. 3

Large impingement lesion viewed via the peripheral compartment at hip arthroscopy

Fig. 4

View of the femoral head-neck junction via the peripheral compartment following excision of the cam impingement lesion