What is cam-type femoroacetabular impingement of the hip?

What is cam-type femoroacetabular impingement of the hip?

Cam-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a known cause of groin pain and a condition that can give rise to osteoarthritis of the hip (1). Patients suffering from this condition are mainly young and experience pain when the hip is moved through internal rotation and adduction at 90° of hip flexion.

What is cam-type femoroacetabular impingement morphology?

Cam-type morphology occurs when an abnormally shaped femoral head/neck has a region of increased radius forming a bump or ridge (1). During motions of flexion and internal rotation, an increased amount of shear stress is placed on the labral cartilage by the abnormal contact with the enlarged femoral head/neck (2).

What does cam stand for in femoroacetabular impingement?

Types of FAI At times both CAM and Pincer type impingement occur in the same hip, creating a mixed presentation. The CAM for (CAM comes from the Dutch word meaning “cog”) describes a shape of the ball (femoral head) that is aspherical or not perfectly round.

What causes cam impingement?

There are two main causes of hip impingement: A deformity of the ball at the top of the femur (called cam impingement). If the head is not shaped normally, the abnormal part of the head can jam in the socket when the hip is bent. This may occur during activities such as riding a bicycle or tying your shoes.

Does cam impingement need surgery?

Approximately 60% of patients with cam lesions can be treated successfully without surgery. The mainstay of non-operative treatment of cam impingement is physical therapy.

What causes cam deformity of the hip?

Current research suggests that these cam lesions develop during adolescence, often when the growth plates are open. Participating in certain physical activity may lead to conflict between the ball and the socket, stimulating the bone to grow and create the cam lesion.

What is cam type deformity of hip?

Cam deformities are due to loss of the sphericity (round shape) of this femoral head. As a result, the labrum can become “pinched” between the bone of the socket and the bone of the ball and is referred to as femoroacetabular impingement or FAI.

How do you fix cam deformity?

Surgical treatment for a cam deformity can usually be done arthroscopically, a minimally invasive procedure using small incisions and specialized instruments. The goal of cam surgery, also called femoroplasty is to reshape the head and neck of the femur and remove the cam lesion or extra bone.