Hip & Thigh
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Also called: Hip impingement
A shape mismatch between the ball and socket of the hip (extra bone on the ball, the socket rim, or both) causing pinching at the depths of flexion and rotation — squatting, sitting low, pivoting sports. Common in athletes; managed conservatively first in most cases.
Common signs
- Pinching groin pain with deep squatting, low chairs, or getting out of a car
- The 'C-sign': cupping the hip with the hand to describe pain location
- Pain with pivoting/cutting sports
- Stiffness into flexion and internal rotation
Seek help now if
- Locking or giving way with mechanical catching (assess labrum)
- Night pain or systemic symptoms
- Rapidly progressive loss of motion
Any of these: call 911 or get to an emergency room first. Everything else can wait.
What to do first
- Examination with impingement testing plus X-rays characterize the shape and rule out other causes
- Modify depth: temporarily raise seats, limit deep squatting, adjust sport volume
- Begin targeted strengthening — glutes and deep rotators change how the joint tracks
If it's become chronic
- A quality 3-month conservative block (strength, motor control, mobility of the surrounding chain) resolves or manages most cases
- Persistent mechanical symptoms with labral involvement: MRI and surgical opinion are reasonable while continuing rehab
- Long-term athletes learn range management — training hard within the hip's happy arc
Natural healing options we use
- Manual therapy for hip capsule and surrounding musculature
- Chiropractic care for lumbopelvic mechanics
- Glute and deep rotator strengthening; core integration
- Sport technique modification (squat stance, depth)
About imaging
X-rays with specific hip views show the bony shape; MRI (often with arthrogram) evaluates the labrum when surgery is being considered.
Daily self-care
- Respect the pinch — train just shy of it
- Raise seat heights during flares
- Daily hip rotation mobility in pain-free ranges
How we can help
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Please read: this page is education, not a diagnosis. A proper examination is how a condition gets confirmed and a plan gets built. See our medical disclaimer.