Hip arthroscopy: Femoroacetabular impingement

Femoral acetabular impingement (FAI) is a recently proposed mechanism causing an abnormal contact between femur and acetabulum, resulting in labral and articular cartilage damage around the hip. In the majority of cases, a bony or cartilaginous deformity of the femoral neck, acetabulum, or both cause FAI. Recent interest in FAI resulted from evidence that suggest FAI may lead to early arthritis of the hip. Advances in arthroscopy in the hip have allowed for instrumentation and techniques to treat FAI and early results are promising. Early recognition of FAI followed by subsequent behavioral modification (profession, sports, etc.) or even surgery may reduce the rate of osteoarthritis (OA) due to FAI.