Conventional radiographs to assess femoroacetabular impingement

Instr Course Lect. 2009:58:203-12.

Abstract

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a pathologic condition of the hip joint in young adults that, if untreated, leads to end-stage osteoarthritis. It is characterized by early pathologic contact between primary osseous prominences of the acetabular rim (so-called pincer FAI) and/or the femoral head-neck junction (cam FAI). Conventional radiographs are often considered normal because classic radiographic signs of osteoarthritis are not present initially. The physician should be aware of the radiographic features for both types of impingement to recognize subtle pathologies.

MeSH terms

  • Acetabulum / diagnostic imaging
  • Acetabulum / pathology
  • Femur Head / diagnostic imaging*
  • Femur Head / pathology
  • Hip Joint / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hip Joint / pathology
  • Humans
  • Joint Diseases / diagnosis
  • Joint Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteoarthritis, Hip / diagnosis
  • Osteoarthritis, Hip / diagnostic imaging*
  • Radiography