Hip Arthroscopy for Hip Impingement (FAI)

Hip discomfort is not always caused by arthritis. In many cases, pain may be the result of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)—a condition in which abnormal contact between the ball and socket of the hip joint causes irritation and damage to the surrounding cartilage or labrum. This type of impingement is similar in concept to shoulder impingement and can often be treated without requiring a joint replacement.

For patients experiencing significant hip pain but minimal or no arthritis hip arthroscopy may be an effective treatment option. Using small incisions—often referred to as “poke holes”—I can insert a camera and specialized instruments into the joint to reshape areas of impingement, repair damaged tissue, and restore smoother joint movement. This approach can relieve pain and improve function while preserving the natural hip joint.

The modern treatment of femoroacetabular impingement was first developed in Switzerland in the late 1990s and evolved to include arthroscopic techniques in the early 2000s. Since 2003, we have collaborated with colleagues in San Francisco to combine open and arthroscopic methods to advance hip preservation techniques. Over the past two decades, these methods have allowed us to help many patients delay or avoid total hip replacement.

Our continued involvement with the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) includes participation in the cadaveric Learning Center, where I have served as  a Master Instructor in hip arthroscopy. Through ongoing education and refinement of these techniques, I remain committed to providing patients with the most advanced, minimally invasive options available.

Hip arthroscopy is a rapidly evolving field, and these innovations have enabled me to help thousands of patients manage hip pain and maintain their natural joint for as long as possible.