Hip impingement

A condition where there is excessive contact between the thigh bone and hip socket.

Reviewed by Professor Ali Ghoz, Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon

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What is hip impingement?

Hip impingement is caused when there is unwanted contact between the thigh bone and the hip socket.

It can affect anyone, but it is most common in the young and those who do sporting activities.

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An unusual shaped head or neck of the thigh bone, or hip socket can rub abnormally, resulting in damage to the cartilage within the hip joint. Lifestyle, occupational and sporting activities can impact the severity of this condition.

If you have hip impingement you may experience:

  • Clicking of the hip
  • Limited movement and stiffness in the joint, which is often worse after long periods of sitting
  • Pain within the groin area.

Diagnostic tests for hip impingement

Initially hip impingement is often not painful, and pain is only experienced once the cartilage in the joint deteriorates.

The condition can be detected on X-ray. Further tests, such as a CT scan or MRI scan, provide more detail about the shape of the joint and any damage to the cartilage within the joint.

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Treatment for hip impingement

The first stage of treatment for hip impingement is to manage your lifestyle – the condition can often stabilise with rest, adjusting your level of activity, and painkillers.

For more severe cases, your orthopaedic surgeon may suggest a hip arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive procedure where a camera is inserted into a small incision in the skin. Your consultant is then able to assess and treat the affected area by:

  • Repairing or removing torn cartilage
  • Smoothing the surface of the hips joints
  • Removing any bone spurs (growths)
  • Removing inflamed tissue.

Alternatively, a complete hip replacement may be required if the damage to the joint is extensive.

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Paying for your treatment

We welcome both self-paying and insured patients.

Self-pay patients

We offer several ways for patients to self-pay, including pay-as-you-go and self-pay packages.

Find out more about self-pay >

Insured patients

At Cromwell Hospital, we accept private health insurance from most major providers, including AXA, Aviva, Bupa, and Vitality.

How to use your private health insurance >
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Our locations

Cromwell Hospital

Cromwell Hospital

164-178 Cromwell Road
London SW5 0TU
United Kingdom

+44 (0)20 7460 5700

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