Hip Impingement (FAI): Non-Surgical Management in Palm Beach
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) occurs when abnormal contact between the ball and socket of the hip joint causes pinching of the labrum and cartilage with hip movement. It is a common source of groin pain in active adults and athletes, and if left untreated, can accelerate hip joint degeneration.
At Palm Beach Regenerative, Dr. Ghattas provides honest assessment of FAI, clearly distinguishing the structural component that drives impingement from the inflammatory component that can be addressed with orthobiologic treatment. Give us a call to schedule an appointment today.
What Is Hip Impingement (Femoroacetabular Impingement)?
FAI occurs in two patterns: cam impingement, where the femoral head has an aspherical bony prominence, and pincer impingement, where the acetabulum overcoverage pinches the femoral head. Mixed patterns are common. During hip flexion or rotation, this abnormal morphology creates repetitive impact on the labrum and cartilage.
Signs and Symptoms
- Groin pain with hip flexion, including sitting, squatting, or getting out of a car
- The classic ‘C sign’: the patient cups the hand around the hip when indicating pain
- Pain with athletic activities requiring hip rotation
- Limited hip internal rotation
- Clicking or catching in the hip
- Low back pain from compensatory movement patterns
Common Causes and Risk Factors
- Bony morphological variation of the femoral head or acetabulum, often developmental
- More common in athletic individuals with high hip loading
- Associated with hip dysplasia in some cases
How It Is Diagnosed
X-ray identifies the FAI bony morphology. MRI with arthrogram is the most sensitive study for assessing labral and cartilage damage associated with impingement.
Dr. Ghattas reviews your imaging to assess the degree of structural impingement, labral damage, and cartilage involvement before discussing treatment options honestly.
Conventional Treatment Options
- Physical therapy for hip mobility and movement pattern correction
- Activity modification to avoid impingement positions
- Hip arthroscopy to reshape the bone (osteoplasty) and repair the labrum: The definitive treatment for structural FAI with significant labral damage
The Palm Beach Regenerative Approach
Orthobiologic treatment for FAI focuses on managing the inflammatory component within the hip joint and supporting the labral and cartilage tissues that have been damaged by repetitive impingement. This approach does not correct the underlying bony morphology.
For patients with mild structural impingement and early labral changes who wish to avoid or delay surgery, image-guided hip joint injection may provide meaningful symptomatic relief. For patients with significant structural impingement and complete labral tears, hip arthroscopy is the appropriate intervention and Dr. Ghattas will say so directly.
The BioMod Advantage: MLS Robotic Laser Therapy to the hip joint and surrounding musculature reduces intra-articular inflammation and hip flexor tightness that amplify FAI symptoms. Xymogen joint support and anti-inflammatory protocols create a favorable biological environment within the hip joint.
Like all medical procedures, interventional orthobiologics have potential risks and benefits. Results vary by individual. Not all patients are candidates. Dr. Ghattas will discuss your specific situation, realistic expectations, and all treatment options, including when surgery or other interventions may be more appropriate.
FAI is a structural condition. Interventional orthobiologics addresses the inflammatory component and may help manage symptoms but does not change the underlying bony morphology. Patients with significant impingement and labral damage may be better served by hip arthroscopy.
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●PATIENT OUTCOMES
Real Patients. Real Results.
No medical procedure can guarantee an outcome. What you should expect is an honest discussion of the evidence, a careful assessment of candidacy, and a recommendation based on your condition.
"Honestly one of the best experiences, I’ve had a really stiff neck for a couple weeks I tried seeing a chiropractor for and it helped marginally but the real jump in relief was coming to see Dr. Ghattas! He has been incredible, wonderful staff, and minimally invasive technique for my pain relief which was super important to me! Thank you Dr. Ghattas recommending to anyone with pain!"Monica A
"Ghattas was instrumental in helping my torn rotator cuff. I did Barbotage for the stone, and then PRP. Great experience. Been about a month or 2 since and I feel great."Ahmet B
"I had severe knee pain and was looking for proper knee pain treatment, which is how I found Dr. Ghattas on Instagram. I was a bit hesitant at first, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made for my health. Francia was amazing at coordinating all my consultations and making the whole process easy and stress-free. If you’re dealing with knee pain and looking for a reliable doctor and team, I highly recommend them."Roger L
"Over a year ago, both my daughter and I underwent PRP treatment with Dr. Ghattas—PRP for my left knee and PRP for my daughter’s L4-L5 and sacral region. We wanted to wait long enough to truly evaluate the results before sharing our experience. I am pleased to say that the outcomes have been outstanding. My daughter’s improvement has been remarkable, and the treatment has made a significant difference in her quality of life. I have also experienced excellent results with my knee. Dr. Ghattas is an exceptional physician who combines expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for his patients. We are incredibly grateful for the treatment we received and the positive impact it has had on our lives. Thank you, Dr. Ghattas. We are truly grateful for everything you have done. You are simply the best."Dr Jorge A
"Dr. Ghattas is very knowledgable and a sympathetic doctor. Hard to find in America. All questions answered, my procedure went very smoothly, very little pain. Follow up is excellent, I highly recommend his practice."Luciana D
“ I had severe knee pain and was looking for proper knee pain treatment, which is how I found Dr. Ghattas on Instagram. I was a bit hesitant at first, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made for my health. Francia was amazing at coordinating all my consultations and making the whole process easy and stress-free. If you’re dealing with knee pain and looking for a reliable doctor and team, I highly recommend them. ”Roger L
“Dr. Ghattas was terrific today. He spent a good amount of time examining me and explaining the regenerative process which I intend to have done next month. More to come after the procedure.”Louie R
“I found Dr Ghattas and his staff very welcoming and informative. The process was well explained and gave me encouragement about the potential for fully restoring my knee joint integrity.”Eric C
“I received two treatments from Dr. Ghattas With excellent results, he takes great care in his assessment and in his treatment you couldn’t be in better hands. I highly recommend his work.”Gisela S
“Apart from the exemplary personal service by the reception and the staff that makes us feel we're at home at the clinic, I have experienced remarkable healing in several episodes from shoulder issue to knee injuries and hip pain. The doctor is so thorough in the diagnosis phase that he administered exactly what was needed, no more no less! Thank you folks for a wonderful experience.”RG G
“Went to Dr. Ghattas for chronic knee and neck issue. I’ve already had multiple procedures done on my neck and multiple epidurals with minimal success. My knee I was told needed surgery to fix. I already had surgery in the past with minimal difference. I ended up getting stem cells in my knee and neck and could t be happier with the outcome. Anyone considering surgery I recommend checking out Regenex first. Next I’m doing the ganglion block and look forward to the results.”Logan H
“Dr. James Ghattas and his team are truly top-notch. His office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and a staff that's exceptional in their fields. I've referred several clients to him, and they've all been incredibly satisfied. Dr. Ghattas is absolutely ahead of the curve, and I wholeheartedly endorse his work.”Ron H
“I am quite active and go to pilates 3-4 times per week. I was having left knee pain and which was treated with PRP. It took about 3 months for me to feel better but then the pain completely subsided. I now am able to exercise without the fear that I will tear a ligament and am pain free.”Ellipsis P
“Transparency, thoroughness, attention to detail, immediate, high quality, follow ups and follow through are just a few words that come to mind throughout my experiences with Palm Beach Regenerative Sport and Spine.”Milton L
