Femoroacetabular Impingement in Young Athletes

Femoroacetabular impingement is a structural mismatch between the femoral head and acetabulum that can lead to labral tear, cartilage damage, and early-onset osteoarthritis. The etiology is likely multifactorial, involving both genetic and environmental risk factors, particularly engagement in high-impact lower extremity activities beginning at a young age. Diagnosis requires a triad of painful symptoms, positive clinical signs, and corroborative radiographic parameters. First-line treatment is typically conservative management with dedicated physical therapy focusing on core and hip strengthening. If conservative management is unsuccessful in providing durable symptomatic improvement, then surgery with conventional hip arthroscopy consisting of CAM/pincer resection, labral repair, and cartilage procedures as indicated can result in excellent patient reported outcomes and high rates of return to sport.