Hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement: use escalating beyond the evidence

There is a concerning lack of data comparing surgical with non-surgical management of femoroacetabular impingement

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common cause of groin pain in physically active young adults, accompanied by limited hip movements. It occurs when bony anatomical abnormalities of the femoral head-neck junction (cam deformity) and acetabular rim (pincer deformity) result in abnormal contact between the two joint surfaces during hip motion. Radiological evidence of FAI is present in about 25% of asymptomatic young adults in the general community.1 FAI increases the risk of end-stage hip osteoarthritis (OA) in later life and is a long term risk factor for joint replacement;2 it may be very disabling. The quality of life of young adults with FAI is comparable to that of older adults who had a total hip replacement for OA.3