Hip Impingement (FAI) Treatment in Seoul Explained in English
In femoroacetabular impingement, an extra bump of bone on the ball or socket pinches your hip when you bend. We help you understand your hip shape and the treatments that fit your goals.
Gangnam Nanoori Hospital, at 731 Eonju-ro in Gangnam, Seoul, near Hakdong Station Exit 10, diagnoses femoroacetabular impingement with an exam, X-rays and MRI. Treatment usually begins with activity changes and physical therapy, and hip arthroscopy can reshape cam or pincer bone and repair the labrum if needed. English-speaking coordinators help you book by WhatsApp at +82-10-6290-9796.
What is femoroacetabular impingement?
Normally the ball of your thigh bone rotates smoothly in the socket. In FAI, the bones have an unusual shape, so they press against each other at the end of movement. Over time this can damage the labrum and cartilage. It is one of many causes covered by our Hip Center.
Cam impingement
The ball is not perfectly round. A bump at the head-neck junction jams into the socket during bending.
Pincer impingement
The socket rim covers too much of the ball, so the rim and labrum get pinched.
Mixed type
Many people have both cam and pincer shapes. This combination is common.
Bone development
The shape often develops during adolescence, especially with high-level sport while bones are still growing.
Activities that provoke it
Deep squats, sitting low, pivoting and kicking sports bring the bones together and trigger pain.
Not always painful
Many people have an FAI shape on X-ray but no symptoms. Treatment is for symptoms, not scans.
Symptoms of hip impingement
FAI pain usually builds gradually and is often linked to particular positions. Some people point to the front of the hip with a C-shaped hand.
Common symptoms
- Groin or front-of-hip pain
- Pain with deep squatting or sitting low
- Pain getting in and out of a car
- Stiffness and reduced inward rotation
- Clicking or catching if the labrum is torn
- Ache after sport or long sitting
Seek care urgently if you have
- Inability to bear weight after a fall or injury
- Sudden severe hip pain with a deformed-looking leg
- Hip pain with fever or chills
- A hot, red, very swollen hip joint
These are not typical of FAI and may signal a fracture, dislocation or infection; in a life-threatening emergency in Korea, call 119.
FAI is a common cause of hip labral tears, so we check the labrum as part of your assessment.
How hip impingement is diagnosed
Diagnosis combines your symptoms, a hands-on exam and imaging that shows bone shape and soft tissue damage.
| Test | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Physical exam | Pain when the hip is bent and turned inward, plus limited rotation |
| X-ray | Cam bumps, pincer over-coverage, and how much arthritis is present |
| MRI or MR arthrogram | Labral tears and cartilage damage caused by impingement |
| CT scan | Sometimes used to map bone shape in 3D for surgical planning |
| Diagnostic injection | Image-guided numbing injection to confirm the pain is from inside the joint |
How we treat hip impingement
Most people start with non-surgical care. Surgery is considered when symptoms persist and imaging shows a clear, correctable problem.
Activity changes
Avoiding deep flexion, low seats and painful pivoting reduces pinching. Anti-inflammatory medicine may help for a short time.
Physical therapy
Our dedicated therapists strengthen hip and core muscles and improve movement patterns so the hip works within a comfortable range.
Image-guided injection
A fluoroscopy- or ultrasound-guided injection can ease pain and help confirm the source of symptoms.
Hip arthroscopy
Through small incisions, hip arthroscopy can shave cam or pincer bone and repair a torn labrum.
Rehabilitation
A staged program over several months restores range of motion, strength and confidence for sport and daily life.
Treating the labral damage FAI causes
Repeated pinching often tears the labrum. During arthroscopy, the surgeon can reshape the bone and repair the torn labrum in the same operation.
Simplified medical illustration for education only, not a patient image. Results vary by condition and individual; your specialist will explain what to expect for your case.
Your Specialists
Care at this clinic is provided by Nanoori Joint Center orthopedic surgeons. Tap a doctor to see their full profile.
Common Questions
Does hip impingement always need surgery?
No. Many people manage FAI well with physical therapy and activity changes. Surgery is usually considered only when pain persists despite good non-surgical care and imaging shows a correctable problem.
Can FAI lead to arthritis?
Long-standing impingement can damage the labrum and cartilage and may raise the risk of hip arthritis in some people. Not everyone with an FAI shape develops arthritis. If arthritis becomes advanced, hip replacement may be considered.
Can I keep playing sport?
Often yes, with adjustments. Your therapist can help you modify training to reduce deep flexion and pivoting while you build strength. Your surgeon will advise if any activities should be paused.
How long is recovery after FAI surgery?
Most people use crutches for a few weeks and continue physical therapy for several months. Many return to sport around 3 to 6 months, depending on what was repaired and the demands of their sport.
Can I use my insurance as a foreigner?
If you are enrolled in Korean National Health Insurance (NHIS), it can be applied to eligible care. For international insurance, our coordinators can explain the billing documents we provide for your claim. Please confirm coverage with your insurer before treatment.
How do I book an appointment in English?
Message our international coordinators on WhatsApp at +82-10-6290-9796 or email ihc_info@mfnanoori.co.kr. We are at 731 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, a short walk from Hakdong Station Exit 10 on Line 7.
Find out what is pinching your hip
Send your symptoms or scans on WhatsApp and an English-speaking coordinator will arrange your visit.
Related Care
Last updated October 2026. This page is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Contact us · Gangnam Nanoori Hospital home
