Femoroiliac impingement is an inflammation of the sacroiliac joint that connects the lower part of the spine (sacral vertebrae) to the pelvic bones on the right and left sides, and is a joint with a limited range of motion.

Symptoms of femoroiliac impingement

When a patient suffers from a femoroiliac impingement, he feels pain in the lower back area that extends to the buttocks. It can also extend to the legs and the upper thigh area, and the severity of the pain may increase as a result of:

     Exerting effort for long periods of time.

     Carrying weights on one foot and not the other.

     Up the stairs.

     Running.

     Walking for long periods.

Causes of femoro-iliac impingement

Several factors contribute to an increased risk of iliotibial impingement, including:

     Pregnancy: Pregnancy hormones in the last three months increase the flexibility of the femoroiliac joint in preparation for childbirth, which leads to pain in the joint.

     One leg is shorter than the other, which causes increased pressure on the joint and pelvic distortion, and thus may lead to premature osteoarthritis of the joint.

     Fractures of the pelvis near the joint.

     Rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid disease.

     Bacterial infection of the joint.

Diagnosis of femoroiliac impingement

Symptoms of hip joint inflammation overlap with those of a herniated disc, so it is necessary to check during the clinical examination and undergo an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI to rule out other causes of back pain.

In addition to the above, some laboratory tests must be performed to detect the possibility of diseases that cause arthritis, such as rheumatic diseases.

Treatment of femoroiliac impingement

     First: non-surgical treatment

Femoroiliac impingement is usually treated by:

     Drug therapy using anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics.

     Get relief by staying away from activities that make the pain more severe, such as running and strenuous sports.

     Wearing medical belts that limit joint movement, thus relieving pain.

     Physical therapy plays an important role in relieving the pain of iliopsoas arthritis.

     Local injection into the joint in cases that do not respond to the above-mentioned therapeutic methods.

     Surgical treatment

  Doctors resort to surgery to stabilize the joint using plates and screws if other therapeutic methods fail to get rid of the problem.

If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, we invite you to consult Dr. Ibrahim Gado, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis and treat the problem safely using the latest medical technologies.

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