Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is becoming a common injury amongst athletes who participate in full squat training and Olympic weightlifting.  Anatomical design, when combined with a repeated full range of hip flexion under load, can result in one or more types of lesions of the hip joint, which is vulnerable during these types of activities.   

FAI occurs when the ball-shaped femoral head contacts the acetabulum abnormally, or does not permit a normal range of motion in the acetabular socket.  The pain is associated with damage to the articular cartilage, or labral cartilage (soft tissue, ring-shaped bumper of the socket), or both, and may be associated with significant muscle guarding or catching in the hip.  The condition may be symptomatic or asymptomatic and may increase the susceptibility to osteoarthritis of the hip.  Treatment options range from rest and conservative management to surgery. 

In this interview, I connect with Physical Therapist Chris Juneau who at the time worked for Memorial Hermann in Houston, Texas.  Chris is now completing his masters degree in rehabilitation science with Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand.  Chris specializes in rehabilitation of the hip and offers some great insights into the pathology and rehabilitation of FAI that helps to demystify the disorder. 

Chris has given his permisstion to share this interview with the CSCA

Click HERE to listen to the full interview

Trevor Cottrell is currently a member of the CSCA’s Advisory Team and Chair of the Education Committee.