Young adult hip disease: hip morphology and impingement

Abstract

Normal hip development is vital for the normal biomechanics of the hip joint. Gross deformity is well known to lead to early-onset osteoarthritis. There is an increasing appreciation of the importance of more subtle changes in hip morphology, which can also be predisposing factors for degenerative wear of the hip. Careful examination and imaging of young adults presenting with hip pain is paramount to identifying femoroacetabular impingement early, at a stage when joint preserving techniques can be of benefit.

This article will discuss the different types of hip impingement, their clinical and radiological features and the current treatment options available.