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What is the Cam hip?
Femoroacetabular impingement is an injury that causes pain in the hip joint, which can occur in several ways:
The first, Pincer-type hip: Which refers to the exaggerated growth of the acetabulum area, which is the curved bone of the pelvis where the femur can be rotated to give movement.
The second form is called a Cam hip, which is the overgrowth of the femoral head, which prevents normal movement of the joint.
And the third way is the mixed one that includes both overgrowth and, although it may not seem like it, it is the lesson that is most found in cases of femoroacetabular impingement.
In this section we will focus on the Cam hip injury in order to learn how to identify and treat it in the most polite way.
Symptoms of CAM hip
When the patient has a femoroacetabular impingement, the main symptom is pain in the area of the hip joint. It is described as an intense and limiting sensation in the trochanteric area that stops the patient from performing any physical activity and usually the pain radiates to the groin and thigh.
As these are common symptoms that can be confused with other injuries, it is necessary for the orthopedic doctor to perform a diagnostic physical examination that consists of mobilizing the leg in an internal rotation maneuver with 90º rotation, if the patient feels pain, femoroacetabular impingement is checked.
The diagnosis is completed with imaging tests such as tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
Causes of CAM hip
It is an anatomical condition of each patient, it has to do with the predisposition of their bone structure to develop a gibbous femoral head. Science has not yet been able to determine a specific cause for this condition.
However, the way in which symptoms are presented since adolescence, such as lack of flexibility and inability to rotate internally, allow patients to realize quickly and opt for timely treatment.
Treatment for CAM type hip impingement
There are traditional and novel surgical methods such as hip arthroscopy that allow the doctor to perform reconstruction of the joint and treat femoroacetabular impingement. This solution consists of scheduling surgery for the patient in order to shape, with the help of surgical instruments, the joint and eliminate the overgrowth of the affected area.
Traditional surgery:
It consists of opening the hip, dislocation, and open work of the joint.
Hip arthroscopy:
It is a surgical treatment that consists of using tiny instruments and a camera, through three small incisions the orthopedic surgeon will be able to enter the joint and perform the desired modeling.
This method ensures less blood loss, as well as a decrease in risks in general because it is a minimally invasive surgery.
Frequently asked questions
How can surgery benefit me?
Hip arthroscopy will relieve the discomfort caused by rubbing inside the joint, being a minimally invasive procedure, recovery is achieved quickly and the patient resumes their daily activities with greater ease and quality of life.
Is the surgery very invasive and risky?
Arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive, the risks are generally reduced, blood loss is less during the operation, recovery is more efficient, rehabilitation and postoperative care are simpler.
In conclusion, it is an advanced surgical solution that allows immediate improvement.
How long does rehabilitation take after surgery?
Depending on the conditions of each patient, the rehabilitation period can be between 4 to 6 weeks to resume mobility, the activities of greater impact such as practicing sports, running, etc. will depend on the decision of the specialist doctor who can evaluate the real conditions of the patient and recommend the most appropriate for their improvement.
What is the postoperative care?
The care is simple, it consists of maintaining a rest indicated by a period of adaptation that allows the necessary time for the muscles and tissues to heal. It is also important to follow the doctor’s instructions regarding the intake of analgesics and antibiotics, the proper cleaning of the wound to avoid infections.
When the time comes, in a period of two weeks, begin the physiotherapy process so that the joint regains its strength and mobility.
Both the operation and the postoperative care are equally important to achieve a good result, you must follow the doctor’s recommendations to the letter to recover the desired quality of life.
