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Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
TREATMENT
In FAI, abnormal bone develops around the femoral head and/or along the acetabulum. This extra bone causes abnormal contact between the hip bones, and prevents them from moving smoothly during activity. Over time, this can result in tears of the labrum and breakdown of articular cartilage (osteoarthritis).
Nonsurgical Treatment
Activity changes
Mr Slattery may first recommend simply changing your daily routine and avoiding activities that cause symptoms.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
Drugs like ibuprofen can be provided in a prescription-strength form to help reduce pain and inflammation.
Physiotherapy
Specific exercises may improve the range of motion in your hip and strengthen the muscles that support the joint. This can relieve some stress on the injured labrum or cartilage.
Surgical Treatment
If tests show joint damage caused by FAI and your pain is not relieved by nonsurgical treatment, Mr Slattery may recommend surgery.
Arthroscopy
Many FAI problems can be treated with arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopic procedures are done with small incisions and thin instruments. Mr Slattery uses a small camera, called an arthroscope, to view inside the hip.
Open FAI Surgery
More severe cases of FAI require open operations to completely visualise the joint and access all areas which cannot be adequately done with an arthroscope. In these cases Mr Slattery will recommend open FAI surgery.
Total Hip Replacement
FAI is one of the leading causes of arthritis, and if the cartilage is damaged too much, then total hip replacement may be recommended.