Research into the treatment of Femoro-Acetabular Impingement (FAI) has focussed on surgical correction of structural abnormalities and tended to overlook the dynamic process of impingement. The role of Physiotherapy in addressing abnormal hip movement and any resulting effect on the symptoms of FAI remains untested. A pilot study was therefore instigated to evaluate the effect of physiotherapy on pain and function in patients with FAI. 30 adults aged between 18 and 50 years with a diagnosis of symptomatic FAI were recruited. 23 (77%) completed the study. Intervention was 3 months of specialist physiotherapy focused on improving pelvic and proximal femoral control. The control group received routine care. All functional outcomes improved in the Physiotherapy group and this included improvement beyond minimal clinically important difference and measurement error on the Hip Outcome Score. There was marginal improvement in pain in both groups Results suggest that physiotherapy treatment can improve function in adults with symptomatic FAI. Larger studies are needed to evaluate the role of conservative management in FAI.
