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The secrets of the hip joint: Why are women more susceptible to hip impingement?
Facial impingement of the hip (FAI) is a condition associated with anatomical abnormalities of the hip joint that often develops in young or middle-aged adults. This occurs when the ball of the femoral head makes abnormal contact with the glenoid part of the hip joint, causing pain or limited range of motion. Although some patients with this disease may have no symptoms, severe cases may cause osteoarthritis of the hip joint.
The main symptom of hip impingement is pain, usually in the groin, lower back, buttocks or back of the upper leg. Patients may also experience decreased mobility.
The occurrence of this disease is related to many factors, and abnormal pelvic structure in women seems to be more susceptible to these problems. In particular, because women have a relatively narrower hip joint structure, this anatomical difference makes them more susceptible when performing certain movements. In addition, female athletes often need to engage in high-intensity exercise, and repetitive exercise may also increase the risk of disease, which is particularly prominent in high-intensity sports activities.
Causes of Hip Impingement
Hip impingement results primarily from abnormal contact between the femoral head and the glenoid fossa, which is usually related to an abnormal shape of the hip joint. According to research, patients of different genders have different types of disease: male patients generally show "cam" abnormality, while female patients more often show "pincer" abnormality. This means that hip abnormalities that are more common in women are more likely to put them at risk for severe impingement.Hip Impingement Symptoms and DiagnosisThe risk is doubled for women who participate in sports that require frequent bending of the knees or rotation of the hips.
Clinical evaluation is the first step in diagnosing hip impingement, but diagnosis may not be easy due to the vague nature of the pain. Common symptoms include groin pain during exercise and discomfort when sitting in high positions or for long periods of time. A specific diagnosis may be made with a combination of physiological tests, such as the FADDIR test and the FABER test. These tests are effective in showing limited mobility in the hip joint, which can help your doctor determine if impingement is present.
Even though X-rays can help diagnose hip impingement, current research suggests that MRI can provide more critical information in patients without clear imaging findings.
Treatment methods
Currently, treatments for hip impingement can be divided into two categories: non-surgical and surgical. Nonsurgical treatments usually include physical therapy, avoiding strenuous activity, and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The main goal of physical therapy is to improve joint mobility and strengthen the surrounding muscles, while surgery is reserved for those patients who continue to experience symptoms and aims to surgically correct any bony abnormalities that are causing the impingement.
ConclusionAccording to a 2011 study, results for arthroscopic surgery, the key surgical approach for this condition, are generally comparable to other approaches, with lower complication rates.
Today, research on hip impingement continues to better understand its causes and treatments. Since women have unique physiological risks, will there be more effective prevention and treatment strategies in the future to reduce the impact of hip impingement on them?
