Hip impingement

This condition may occur in the absence of wear in the hip joint, and is due to the margins of the hip joint and the surrounding bone around the joint abutting and preventing movement, and then causing damage to and pain from the hip joint itself. Mild impingement may respond to an arthrogram (an X-ray dye assessment which may also help confirm the diagnosis) with steroid injections, physiotherapy, painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs as well as alteration of work, social and sporting activities.

Surgical treatment

A Radial MRI scan of a hip with 'CAM' impingement. The area in front of the angled line is excessive bone, which causes pain upon hip flexion ie bending, as well as damaging the hip socket.

This is dependent on the cause, with surgery becoming more and more widely used. Scans such as CT and MRI are often requested prior to the operation, and very useful to the planning of the nature and type of surgery required.

The surgical options include hip arthroscopy (keyhole surgery), or indeed an open debridement (opening and clearing and repairing the joint). The options are best discussed with your surgeon. The aim of treatment is to remove any abnormal bone causing the joint to be damaged, and repair any soft tissue damage if possible.

However if the hip joint has 'wear and tear' as in arthritis, then the treatment required may be either a hip surface replacement or total hip replacement may be required.