A deformity of the ball at the top of the femur (called cam impingement). If the head is not shaped normally, the abnormal part of the head can jam in the socket when the hip is bent.

FAI occurs because the hip bones do not form normally during the childhood growing years. It is the deformity of a cam bone spur, pincer bone spur, or both, that leads to joint damage and pain. When the hip bones are shaped abnormally, there is little that can be done to prevent FAI. It is not known how many people have FAI.

In some cases, people with hip impingement may need to have a total hip replacement. The choice of treatment depends in part on your condition, amount of arthritis in the joint, your age and activity level, and your preferences. We will help you understand the risks and benefits of various treatment options. Facts and Figures

No matter what you’re feeling, hip impingement (femoroacetabular impingement) responds well to treatment. It might take a while to find a way to manage your symptoms, but your provider will help you tweak and modify things until something works.