Epidemiology
There has been limited research on the prevalence of FAI among a general population according to a literature review by Algarni. On the other hand, there are many sources that discuss the prevalence of athletes with the condition especially those that are younger and white. Hockey, tennis, soccer, and equestrian are all sports where the prevalence of a femoral neck abnormalities are higher due to the nature of the sport to force athletes into forced, loaded flexion and internal rotation.Cam lesions are more common in males, where pincer lesions are more common in females due to differences in anatomical development of the pelvis. History
FAI is a relatively recent discovery. Its original description is credited to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Reinhold Ganz, who first proposed the condition as a cause for hip osteoarthritis in a publication in 2003.While the true diagnosis of FAI can be considered a relatively recent discovery, reports of damage to the femoroaceatabular region date back over a century ago in the orthopedic realm of medicine. It was not until the development of an open surgical dislocation procedure was developed that FAI was discovered as an anatomical difference and cause of osteoarthritis. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Reinhold Ganz can be credited with this discovery in his 2003 publication that discussed the findings and relation to hip osteoarthritis.
The third is a combination of the two, generally referred to as mixed. The most common type seen, approximately 70% of the time, is the mixed type. A complicating issue is that some of the radiographic findings of FAI have also been described in asymptomatic subjects.Current literature suggests that the cam type of impingement is associated with the development of hip osteoarthritis. Thus far, no correlation has been seen between the pincer type and development of hip osteoarthritis. Anatomy
The hip joint is classified as a ball and socket joint. This type of synovial joint allows for multidirectional movement and rotation. There are two bones that make up the hip joint and create an articulation between the femur and pelvis. This articulation connects the axial skeleton with the lower extremity. The pelvic bone, also known as the innominate bone, is formed by three bones fused together: the ilium, ischium, and pubis. The musculature of the hip is divided into anterior hip muscles and posterior hip muscles. The major nerve supply that runs through the hip joint is the femoral nerve and the sciatic nerve. Diagnosis
Clinical evaluation is the first step in diagnosis, but will rarely lead to the diagnosis on its own, due to inconsistent and vague nature of the pain. Childhood and current activity should be inquired about. Physical exam should also involve assessing passive internal rotation of the hip during flexion, as range of motion is reduced in proportion to the size of a cam lesion.