Differential Diagnosis for Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI) Hip
- Single most likely diagnosis:
- Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI): This is the most likely diagnosis given the presentation of "FAI hip". FAI occurs when there is abnormal contact between the femoral head and the acetabulum, leading to pain and limited mobility.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Hip osteoarthritis: This condition can present with similar symptoms to FAI, including hip pain and limited mobility.
- Labral tear: A tear in the labrum, the cartilage that surrounds the acetabulum, can cause hip pain and is often associated with FAI.
- Piriformis syndrome: This condition occurs when the piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve, causing pain and numbness in the hip and leg.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses:
- Avascular necrosis: This is a serious condition that occurs when the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted, leading to bone death. It can present with similar symptoms to FAI and requires prompt treatment to prevent further damage.
- Septic arthritis: This is a bacterial infection of the joint that can cause severe pain, swelling, and limited mobility. It is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment with antibiotics.
- Fracture: A fracture of the femur or pelvis can cause severe hip pain and limited mobility, and requires prompt treatment to prevent further complications.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Synovial chondromatosis: This is a rare condition in which cartilage grows in the synovial membrane of the joint, causing pain and limited mobility.
- Pigmented villonodular synovitis: This is a rare condition in which the synovial membrane of the joint becomes inflamed and grows excess tissue, causing pain and limited mobility.
- Osteochondritis dissecans: This is a rare condition in which a piece of cartilage and bone becomes detached from the femoral head, causing pain and limited mobility.