Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: a narrative review for the chiropractor

To familiarize the chiropractic clinician with the clinical presentation, radiographic features, and conservative versus surgical treatment options for managing femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome.

FAI syndrome is a relatively new clinical entity to be described in orthopedics, and has been strongly linked with pain and early osteoarthritis of the hip in young adults. Hip joint radiographs in these patients often appear normal at first-particularly if the clinician is unfamiliar with FAI. The role of conservative therapy in managing this disorder is questionable. Surgical treatment ultimately addresses any acetabular labral or articular cartilage damage, as well as the underlying osseous abnormalities associated with FAI. The most commonly used approach is open surgical hip dislocation; however, more recent surgical procedures also involve arthroscopy.

In FAI syndrome-a condition unknown to many clinicians (including medical)-chiropractors can play an important role in its diagnosis and referral for appropriate management.