FAI (CAM/Pincer)
What is FAI (CAM/Pincer)
FAI (CAM/Pincer) is a femoroacetubular impingement syndrome located in the front of the hip joint area. It can also be called hip impingement. It is due to changes near the joint, which when located on the cartilage ring, the labrum that sits around the hip joint edge on the pelvis, is called Pincer. When the changes are located on the joint head/femoral neck, it is called CAM. You can have these changes each individually and in combination. The changes lead to it becoming cramped and a pinching position occurs between the femoral neck/joint head and the joint edge on the pelvis, with pain as a result.
It is most common in people who are active in sports. It is suspected that a lot of strain on the hip joint before growth is complete may be one reason why this occurs. It can also occur after a fracture of the femoral neck or pelvis.
Symptoms of Femuro-acetabular impingement
These patients experience pain in the front of the hip, deep groin pain when straining. Some individuals experience pain if they sit for a long time. Mobility in the hip is often limited, especially in internal rotation and flexion (bending the leg upwards at the hip). Sometimes the pain can be located on the outside of the hip. If you have put too much strain on the hip in provocative situations, you may experience rest pain afterwards, otherwise this is not common.
To strengthen the manual examination, ultrasound diagnostics can be performed on the hip. This allows us to see and measure any damage and bone deposits in the area and also see part of the labrum.
Treatment for FAI
If possible, it is important to identify the causes of FAI (CAM/Pincer). Is there any activity that triggers the pain? It is good to avoid movements that cause the characteristic pinching pain in the front of the hip, groin. This measure alone can result in a general improvement. If the patient has had this for a longer period, the muscles are often secondarily affected in the hip/buttock region. Muscular treatment, often with shock wave therapy, can help reduce discomfort. Mobilizing the hip without provoking pain can help increase mobility. Exercise rehabilitation of the hip is started in parallel with treatment.
If there is no improvement with treatment and rehabilitation training, we refer the patient to an orthopedist for further investigation and a decision on possible surgery.
Prognosis for femoroacetabular impingement
FAI (CAM/Pincer) problems that have not lasted that long, or if the problems are considered mild, the prognosis for treatment looks good. Especially if you can identify what triggers the problems and learn to avoid activities that disturb the hip. You then give the area a chance to calm down and in combination with treatment and exercise, the pain usually calms down and mobility improves.
If you have been suffering from your symptoms for a long time or if the pain intensity is high, the prognosis worsens. The risk of developing osteoarthritis in the hip
