Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
Femoracetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition mostly affecting the younger sporting population in which structural change of the head of the femur and/or the acetabulum causes pain and loss of range of motion and can affect athletic performance.
The following systematic review examined literature regarding reported physical impairments associated with FAI and what treatments were effective in reducing these impairments. The evidence suggests that loss of hip ROM, particularly into flexion and internal rotation is common in symptomatic FAI but it little research has investigated whether or not this affects athletic performance. One study found that FAI lead to decreased squatting depth/ability.
Hip arthroscopy may assist in restoring ROM, however the authors suggest outcomes may be improved further with appropriate physiotherapy post surgery. Further research should address conservative vs surgical approaches for restoring hip ROM in people with symptomatic FAI.
> From: Diamond et al., Br J Sports Med 49 (2015) 230-242. All rights reserved to BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. Click here for the Pubmed summary.
