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Specialty Orthopaedics:
Samuel Park, MD

Orthopedic Services

Hip Impingement Doctor Hip Impingement Specialist


Your hip is the area where your thigh bone meets your pelvis. When this ball-and-socket joint doesn’t move freely or starts causing you pain, you may want to see an orthopedic specialist like Samuel Park, MD of Specialty Orthopaedics. Dr. Park cares for patients who are experiencing hip impingement symptoms at the Hinsdale, Illinois office. You can book your appointment by using the online scheduling system or by calling the office.

Hip Impingement Q & A

What is a hip impingement?

Hip impingement means that something is interfering with the normal gliding motion of your hip joint. Generally, this issue stems from either a deformity of the ball at the top of your thigh bone (femur) or from a deformity of the front of your hip socket (acetabulum).

If the head of your femur isn’t shaped normally, a condition known as cam impingement, the abnormally shaped bone jams into your socket when your hip is bent. In this case, you may feel discomfort while bending over or twisting.

If your socket is to blame, a condition called pincer impingement indicates that the front part of your hip’s socket sticks out too far. Every time you walk, squat, or sit, the neck of your femur bone just below the ball bumps the rim of the socket.

Will I know if I have a hip impingement?

Possibly, although hip impingement can develop over the course of years without you knowing it. This condition doesn’t usually cause issues in its early stages. As hip impingement progresses, you may experience:

  • Stiffness in your groin
  • Pain in the front of your thigh
  • Loss of hip range of motion

Initially, you’re probably only going to feel pain when you move your hip towards its limits. Over time though, you’re likely going to experience discomfort with routine activities, such as sitting or walking up an incline.

Can sports predispose to hip impingement pain?

Yes. If an athlete has hip impingement, sports that involve twisting, cutting, and pivoting “e.g. soccer, hockey, basketball” can predispose to hip pain. Athletes participating in these sports very often experience hip pain at a younger age, such as during high school or college.

How is hip impingement treated?

Dr. Park typically begins with conservative treatment to see if it improves your symptoms. In some cases, merely resting the affected hip or modifying your daily activities can relieve inflammation or discomfort over time.

Most hip impingement sufferers benefit from physical therapy and specialized exercises. These sessions are designed to improve flexibility in your hip while strengthening the surrounding muscles that support your hip. If you’re still not getting relief, Dr. Park may suggest hip arthroscopic surgery to repair the joint.

This procedure is tailored to you, but it generally involves reshaping your ball, socket, or both. He may also need to trim away damaged cartilage to help improve the gliding ball-and-socket function. Finally, torn ligaments are repaired, all done minimally invasively.

If you’re experiencing pain in your hip or struggling with limited mobility, schedule an evaluation at Specialty Orthopaedics. Book either online or over the phone.

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