CAM Hip Deformity Specialist

Hip cam impingement is a type of FAI or femoroacetabular hip impingement. It is characterized by pain that develops in the groin area and worsens when sitting for long periods of time. Running, squatting and even tying your shoes can become painful. Cam impingement is quite common but should be diagnosed by a hip impingement specialist. Doctor Ronak Mukesh Patel treats patients from Sugar Land, Pearland, and the Houston, Texas area who have cam hip impingement. Call Dr. Patel’s office today!

What is cam impingement or a cam deformity?

The hip is a ball and socket joint where the ball of the femur (thigh bone) fits snugly inside the socket of the hip, called the acetabulum. In a hip joint without pain or problems, the head of the femur rotates perfectly within the socket. However, with a cam type femoroacetabular impingement or a cam deformity, the femoral head is not perfectly spherical and doesn’t fit well into the socket. The deformity can be congenital, or it can be a bone spur or “bump” on the femur. The result of a cam impingement or deformity is hip pain, especially when bending or sitting.

Why does my hip hurt when bending or squatting?

Cam type hip impingement is often the cause of hip pain with bending, squatting, running or sitting. If the hip is rotated, or flexed, the femoral head can pinch against the rim of the acetabulum. The hip cam impingement can cause damage to the cartilage in the hip and the labrum which leads to pain, stiffness and a limited range of motion. Doctor Ronak Mukesh Patel treats patients from Sugar Land, Pearland, and the Houston, Texas area who have hip cam impingement.

Symptoms of FAI cam impingement:

The symptoms of cam impingement or hip cam deformity are often reported as:

  • Pain in the groin, front hip or side area, especially with activity
  • Pain when sitting for long periods of time (like in a car ride or during a flight)
  • Pain with sports, squatting, or twisting
  • Pain that can vary from a dull ache to stabbing and intense.
  • Stiffness and decreased range of motion
  • A sensation of clicking or popping in the hip with movement

What is the difference between cam and pincer hip impingement?

Pincer acetabular hip impingement is one of the forms of FAI or femoroacetabular impingement. While cam impingement is caused by a deformity of the femoral head and/or neck, pincer impingement occurs when the bony rim of the hip socket (acetabulum) is too deep and rubs against the ball of the hip joint (femoral head). The result is hip pain, stiffness and difficulty flexing the hip. Sitting for long periods of time can aggravate the condition, causing a limp when first trying to move. Pincer impingement is more commonly seen in females.

Cam vs Pincer Impingement and Hip Pain:

While hip cam impingement and hip pincer impingement are two different types of FAI (femoroacetabular impingement), both are characterized by abnormal contact between the ball and socket within the hip (the femoral head and acetabulum). The location of a cam impingement is on the femur or femoral head, where the location of a pincer impingement is within the socket or acetabulum, causing impingement on the femoral neck.  Both types of hip FAI can cause pain and hip damage.

What is the treatment for hip cam impingement?

Non-surgical treatment for hip cam impingement:

The good news is the majority of the patients with cam lesions, deformities or impingement can be treated without surgery. Non-surgical treatment includes rest, physical therapy, hip cortisone injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, NSAID’s and activity modification.

Surgical treatment for cam hip impingement:

If the painful symptoms are not resolved by non-surgical methods surgery may become necessary. Depending on the exact diagnosis, Dr. Patel may perform one or more of the following surgical procedures: