Functional Anatomy of the Hip Joint
The hip joint is a very stable ball and socket joint between the head of the femur and the acetabulum of the pelvis. The joint is enclosed by the acetabular labrum and joint capsule which increase joint stability.
The main function of the hip joint is to support forces being transferred between the upper limbs, trunk and lower limbs. There are three groups of muscles which all play a role in the complex movement of the hip joint.
The role of the deep muscle system is to control the position of the femoral head in the acetabulum as well as contributing to joint stability through a proprioceptive role.
The intermediate muscle system controls movement of the pelvis on the femur during weight bearing as well as being secondary stabilisers of the femoral head in the acetabulum.
The superficial muscle system is primarily used for force production around the hip joint.
What is FAI?
Femoro-Acetabular-Impingement (FAI) is a defect in the normal mechanics of the hip joint due to abnormal bony contact between the head of the femur and the acetabulum of the pelvis. This abnormal bony contact generally causes pain and discomfort in the anterior/later hip and groin area.
Sitting for prolonged periods or activity requiring a large range of motion around the hip such as sports involving kicking actions often cause pain for people with FAI.
FAI is more common in a younger active population and over time can lead to damage to the soft tissue structures, labral tears, muscle inhibition, bursitis, tendinopathy and osteo-arthritis.
What causes FAI Hip Pain?
There are two main forms of bony deformity that contribute to FAI Hip Pain either in isolation or in combination with each other.
CAM impingement refers to a bony growth on the neck of the femur which butts up against the rim of the acetabulum during hip flexion and internal rotation.
Pincer impingement refers to a thickening and widening of the acetabular rim, causing over-coverage of the acetabular rim in relation to the femur which does not allow enough room for the head and neck of the femur to move without making contact with the acetabular rim.
Other factors which can contribute to FAI include tight posterior joint capsule, anterior instability and poor or delayed muscle activation of glute min, quadratus femoris and/or illiacus.
Treating FAI Hip Pain
Conservative management of FAI focusses on improving hip joint mechanics and optimising movement by improving muscle activation and strength of glute minimus and quadratus femoris, reducing posterior capsule tightness and strengthening the superficial muscle to a neutral position to avoid excessive anterior movement of the head of femur.
In some cases surgical intervention may be necessary to reduce abnormal bony contact between the femur and the acetabulum by debriding the abnormal bony growth through arthroscopic surgery.
If surgery is performed, pre-surgery and rehabilitation will focus on maximising hip joint function and addressing the factors outlined above during conservative management.
Rehabilitation Following Arthroscopic Surgery for FAI Hip Pain
Rehabilitation Timeline
Post-operative rehabilitation protocols for FAI Hip pain must factor in advancements in surgical techniques when considering time lines for goals and progressions.
Rehabilitation following arthroscopic debridement of bony abnormalities for FAI differs to traditional post-operative hip rehabilitation, as there is no hip dislocation with arthroscopic surgery.
Therefore greater ROM is allowed earlier on in rehabilitation. In any case, progression of rehabilitation should always be based on each individual’s presenting signs and symptoms rather than on a time line or recipe approach.
Initial Phase
Initial phase of rehabilitation should focus decreasing inflammation, restoring normal ROM, gentle stretching, re-establishing correct muscle recruitment and isometric strengthening for the muscles around the hip.
Optimising position of the femoral head in the acetabulum by strengthening the deep external rotators of the hip, especially quadratus femoris, is crucial as well as restoring gluteus minimus function.
Once these things have been achieved, progression can be made to the intermediate and then advanced stages of rehabilitation.
Intermediate and Advanced Phases
The intermediate to advanced stage of rehabilitation should focus on restoring muscular strength and endurance; achieve optimal neuromuscular control, balance and proprioception as well as increasing core and pelvic stability.
Normal function of the hip musculature must be restored during this phase of rehabilitation, with a progression from isometric exercises to more functional type movements. Increasing strength of gluteus medius muscle as well as further strengthening deep external rotators of the hip is also particularly important during this phase, due to the client’s weakness in these muscles.
This will also assist in the progression to single leg exercises. The close relationship between the hip and the pelvis means that strengthening exercises need to incorporate lumbo-pelvic and trunk stabilisation exercises for return to full function.
Written by Jack Hickey, Exercise Physiologist at MD Health Pilates
References for Further Reading
- Enseki, KR, Martin, R & Kelly, BT 2010, ‘Rehabilitation after arthroscopic decompression for femoroacetabular impingement’, Clin Sports Med, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 247-55, viii.
- Philippon, MJ, Stubbs, AJ, Schenker, ML, Maxwell, RB, Ganz, R & Leunig, M 2007, ‘Arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement: osteoplasty technique and literature review’, Am J Sports Med, vol. 35, no. 9, pp. 1571-80.
- Stalzer, S, Wahoff, M & Scanlan, M 2006, ‘Rehabilitation following hip arthroscopy’, Clin Sports Med, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 337-57, x.
- Wahoff, M & Ryan, M 2011, ‘Rehabilitation after hip femoroacetabular impingement arthroscopy’, Clin Sports Med, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 463-82.
