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Professional Technical IVT

FAI

Pronunciation: F-A-I

Also written as: FAI — Femoroacetabular Impingement

Femoroacetabular impingement; abnormal contact between femoral neck and acetabular rim.

Full Definition

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a pathological condition where abnormal bony morphology of the femoral head-neck junction or acetabulum leads to abnormal contact during hip motion, causing pain and potential cartilage damage. FAI is classified into three types: cam impingement (femoral-sided), pincer impingement (acetabular-sided), or mixed type. This condition is increasingly recognized as a cause of hip pain in young adults and may predispose to early osteoarthritis if left untreated.

Usage

Usage note: Spell out on first use; distinguish cam, pincer, and mixed types in documentation.

In Context

  • "MRI arthrography revealed cam-type FAI with associated anterosuperior labral tear." — Imaging report
  • "Hip arthroscopy was performed to address symptomatic FAI with femoral osteochondroplasty." — Surgical summary

Also known as

femoroacetabular impingement

Don't confuse with

hip dysplasia labral tear

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