Medical Note: FAI is a structural diagnosis that should be confirmed by imaging (X-ray or MRI). This program is for conservative management. Surgery may be recommended for severe cases — consult an orthopaedic specialist.
Hip Impingement Phase Selector
Understanding FAI: Cam vs Pincer vs Combined
Cam Impingement
An abnormal bump on the femoral head (ball) that causes friction when the hip flexes. Common in male athletes and young active individuals. Pain typically anterior groin with deep hip flexion.
Pincer Impingement
The acetabulum (socket) over-covers the femoral head. More common in middle-aged women. Can cause labral damage over time as the labrum is repeatedly pinched.
Combined FAI
Both cam and pincer morphology present simultaneously. The most common presentation. Conservative management can still be highly effective for pain reduction and function.
Aggravating Activities to Modify
- Deep squatting past 90 degrees of hip flexion
- Hip internal rotation under load (pigeon-toed squats)
- Prolonged sitting (hip in flexion)
- Running hills or stairs (high hip flexion angles)
- Yoga poses requiring deep hip flexion (pigeon, seated forward fold)
Surgery vs Conservative Management: Research shows that conservative rehabilitation is equally effective to surgery for most FAI patients at 2-year follow-up (British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2019). Exhaust conservative options (this program, PT) before considering surgical intervention.
Sources
- Griffin DR, et al. Arthroscopic hip surgery compared with physiotherapy and activity modification for the treatment of symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement. BMJ. 2018.
- Kemp JL, et al. Exercise-based treatment for FAI syndrome: a systematic review. BJSM. 2018.