Femoroplasty for Cam Impingement (FAI) Surgeon
Are you an athlete who participates in sports activities requiring repetitive motion of the hip? If so, you may be at risk of Femoroacetabular impingement, otherwise known as FAI. FAI is a condition marked by abnormal contact between the hip bones causing impingement and pain. Hip surgeon and FAI treatment specialist, Dr. Jervis Yau provides diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Santa Barbara who are experiencing symptoms and pain caused by FAI. Contact Dr.Yau’s team toady!
An Overview of Femoroplasty for Cam Impingement
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a hip condition commonly found in young adults involved in sports. FAI causes abnormal contact between the femoral head (ball) and acetabulum (socket), leading to pain, swelling and joint degeneration. FAI has different names in the medical field depending on which bone where the abnormality is located. Cam impingement describes the abnormality at the head-neck junction often leading to a bony bump that causes the femoral head (ball) to not be completely round. Because of this, the ball cannot rotate smoothly inside the acetabulum (socket) leading to impingement of the anterolateral hip. If a patient in the Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria and Ventura, California area suffers from cam impingement, a femoroplasty may be required. Dr. Jervis Yau, orthopedic hip surgeon, specializes in femoroplasty, a cam impingement surgery designed to alleviate painful symptoms associated with impingement.
Cam impingement often leads to damaged labrum and cartilage over time. If left untreated it can lead to progressive degeneration leading to early onset hip arthritis.
In order to determine if a patient requires cam impingement surgery, Dr. Yau will perform a thorough physical examination. Certain patients may find relief with conservative measures, such as rest, activity modifications and physical therapy aimed at strengthening the hip’s core muscles.
When is Surgery for FAI Appropriate?
If non-surgical options fail or the cam lesion is large, Dr. Yau will recommend arthroscopic surgery. This minimally invasive surgery is designed to remove and reshape the bony abnormality, known as femoral osteoplasty (femoroplasty). If a patient is also affected by pincer impingement (a bony abnormality on the acetabular rim) known as mixed impingement, Dr. Yau may perform a femoroplasty and an acetabuloplasty during the same procedure.
FAI Cam Post-Op X-Ray (Click to Enlarge)
Recovery and Rehabilitation Following Femoroplasty
Immediately following femoroplasty, patients will begin a strict set of rehabilitation protocols prescribed by Dr. Yau. Patients will be encouraged to use crutches for several weeks to help protect the repair while the hip joint heals. Patients will begin physical therapy immediately after cam impingement surgery. The program will be performed under the guidance of a skilled physical therapist and is designed to strengthen the joint and return full range of motion.
Femoroplasty Recovery Time
Patients can expect a return to full range of motion at approximately six weeks in many cases. A gradual return to normal and athletic activities takes place within four to six months after femoroplasty. Femoroplasty is a successful cam impingement surgery with the majority of patients experiencing great improvements in both pain and function.
For additional information on femoroplasty, or to determine if you are a candidate for cam impingement surgery, please contact the Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria and Ventura, California office of hip surgeon Dr. Jervis Yau.