Get the Right Diagnosis: FAI (Impingement) or Hip Flexor Strain?

Are you feeling pain in your groin? If so, you may be suffering from either Hip Impingement (FAI) or Hip Flexor Strain. In this video, we'll show you how to do a self test to determine which injury you have.

If you're suffering from pain in your groin, don't wait to see a doctor. Instead, try doing a self test to determine whether you have Hip Impingement (FAI) or Hip Flexor Strain. This test is quick and easy and can help you get the care you need to recover and heal!

Want more info?

[Performance Place website low back article excerpt] Hip flexor pain can wreak havoc on your love for running. Many of us run for weight loss or because it’s something we feel we “need to do” to be healthy. But not Julie. She simply loved the act of running!

A 10-minute marathon runner in her mid-40s, Julie would typically run five days per week. Some days she would run in track groups, rising to the challenge when her friends motivated her to get faster. Other times, she relished the solitude of solo runs.

Running was Julie’s “fix.” So when a cluster of symptoms started keeping her from doing what she loved, she knew she needed to take action. She came to Performance Place® Sports Care after seven months of unsuccessful attempts at treating the pain. I knew a detailed examination and proper guidance on how to decrease her symptoms would get her on the right track.

How It All Started
About 10 months ago, Julie began to notice hip flexor and sit bone pain when she ran. Since she didn’t do anything to create it, she thought it would go away on its own—just like most of her minor running-related issues had in the past.

But this time was different.

Soon, her hip flexor and sit bone were starting to ache at the very first step of her morning run, causing her pain for the entire duration. Her sit bone region would feel aggravated all day, especially exacerbated when she sat for long periods of time at work. The pain weighed on Julie’s mind. She wondered what she could do to make it go away.

When Julie couldn’t stand the aching any longer, she decided to take a break from running for a few days. Her hip flexor pain stopped, so she made the difficult decision of not running for two weeks.

Although it was painful to give up running, she hoped the pause would give the condition time to improve. And it did—until she hit the track again.

Just one minute into Julie’s first run in weeks, the pain surged back in full force. Frustrated, she decided to seek help.

What Didn’t Work
Julie started by exploring the typical healthcare route. But she quickly became irritated when her primary care doctor suggested rest and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. She had already tried rest, to no avail, and she didn’t like the idea of medication. Her doctors thought she could have a labral tear in her hip, hip impingement or hip arthritis.

Unsatisfied, Julie searched for a better solution.

Her next stop was to see a physical therapist who was highly recommended by one of her friends. Physical therapy was covered by Julie’s insurance, minus deductible and copay, so she decided to give it a try.

Under her physical therapist’s guidance, Julie tried to remedy her problems with a daily 15-minute routine consisting of stretching, glute strengthening and hip mobility drills. As her inpatient care, she received tool-assisted soft tissue work. But despite two months of diligently following this plan, her sit bone was still tender while sitting at work. And she still hadn’t returned to running.

Frustrated by the lack of progress, Julie continued searching for a real solution.

Next, she visited a chiropractor suggested by a friend whose sciatica and hip pain had improved under his care. Julie received adjustments and soft tissue work two times per week, which was covered partially by her insurance. But after three months, she saw little improvement.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro to Diagnostic Testing
0:18 Resisted vs Passive Testing
2:32 Anatomy of Impingement
4:23 Don't Just Treat Muscles

#FemoroacetabularImpingementvsHipFlexorStrain #femoralacetabularimpingement #california

[drchancer]

The average GP wouldn't have a clue what you're talking about yet for suffering patients you're crystal clear! Thanks.

[christinebegg]

I can't find the video i am referring to now, but the skin roll test...oh my! Decreased my pain by about 75% and left leg feels strong! Such a relief. Thank you.

[Osteoandyogi]

Stay well
One and all, great video. posting tips as well in staying positive during this tough time.

[litlisa]

It would have been nice to see this vid years ago. I feel my right hip grind and pop, Femoroacetabular impingement, crossing over to the left, and when releasing to the right.

[linda]

Excellent clear video! Just subscribed to your channel. Thank you!

[Doc-Holiblaze]

Currently have excruciating pain in front of hip. Cannot lift my leg more than an inch before pain is too much. No comfortable position for sleep. Been up two days straight. Ibuprofen/Tylenol no longer effective.

[jimmyfoot]

Interesting video. Ij could draw several comparisons with my own issue which I've had for nearly 3 years starting at 37 years old. Im very sporty, always have been cycling gymnastics as a kid running.... So last year I got an Xray before the first covid lock down. I was told via what's app video that I have arthritis?!?!
One year on with hundreds of turmeric tablets later, I saw a different physio and he's sent me in for further Xrays to rule a hip impingement out.... I hope so as I've a way out through surgery I'm told.. But at moment I have unbelievable tightness on my hip flex, clicking on outside of hip and up the side of my lower back on same side. Also tightness in the groin, but the hip flex is really inflamed I can tell, stretching seems to alleviate it temporarily, but it sometimes makes it worse, everyday I'm back at square one unless I foam role the leg everywhere and do none aggregating yoga stretches... Nightmare to be honest.

[yaram]

Hi there.
at 3:55
I totally agree with you! I have to fix the tilt of the pelvis. I agree with you because I already have hip impingement by getting into a posterior pelvic tilt then sliding with one leg forward to stretch the psoas.
May I know what muscles I need to strengthen or stretch to fix the position of the ilium? And will losing weight will help?

[dalek]

I'm anterior PO 6 months and still getting lots of pain in the hip flexor when standing on one leg. Especially putting on pants or shorts movement, which requires bending over while standing on one leg.

[elisiajrose]

i’m curious, if there is pain with external rotation, is it also hip impingement?

[patagucci]

Thanks for the informative video!
I would like to address a concern of mine, here is some context;
- I am 19 years old, and participate in a range of sports, to name a few powerlifting, basketball, skateboarding.

I have this snapping/ popping of the front hip when I move my left knee up and down. I notice this popping when performing the following exercises: lying dead bug, barbell squats. This agitates my hip and impacts in activity- from shifting hips during the squat to even standing up straight. I’ve also observed pain on the medial side of my leg, I believe that my adductors are inflamed.
Could you kindly send some suggestions for things I should do to combat this? Thank you!

[Apa]

is it possible to have hip flexor strain and impingement?

[siddiqkhan]

I have this problem it's hurt terrible pain I can't move my leg to chest then side plz post some recovery video form it 🙏😢

[maxmollymurphy]

I've been struggling with this hip impingement for months and spending lots of money on it - seeing a PT, Chiropractor, Orthopedic Surgeon, have had a Cortisone injection, ...; and nothing has changed. You said something like "good news" it's just a matter of rotating the Ilium on that side. So how do I do that? What exercises, stretches?

[Kjk]

Great video I left a big like !
Btw been struggling with this since 17 years old. It started with lower back pain and left si joint pain along with constant grinding and crunching sound. Its killing me right now at 23 since I hit the gym, do mma and run. My left leg can even deliver proper roundhouse kicks with speed and mobility. There are no chiropractors in my area so I need to fix myself...
I have a question to ask you, how do I make my si joint go upwards and fix my fai like you said in the vid, can you give me a link to video playlist or something ?
Also can a tight psoas cause an si joint shift which cause the impingement since I get cracking noises every day on both sides and my left side is literally destroying me ?
Thank you for your time :)

[traceyraymond]

I had an Avulsion fracture of my TFL a year ago. I've been doing my rehab every since only to have another tear back in feb of this year. I've finally got back to the level where i can do plyometrics and only csn run 3 × 10 mins on a flat but as soon as i get to a downhill its painfull in the TFL area.
Help...I'm losing all hope

[SuperAnnaaaaaaa]

could it be both impingement and strain ????

[BrewTownTaylors]

So in the first exercise I have hip pain when resisting the push from my hands ( trying to win with my knee not hands) is that a hip flexor issue? Or hip joint issue? Please 🙏 I have no idea what to do

[hamala]

this eiiz whaA been called a coordination :)

[syy]

I did the first one and it was painful so does that mean it’s a hip flexor pain