Femoroplasty and Cam Procedures

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Cam impingement is a type of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) that occurs when the femoral head (the ball of the hip joint) is not perfectly round. During movement, an abnormally shaped femoral head can cause friction within the joint, gradually damaging the labrum and cartilage and leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Femoroplasty is a surgical procedure designed to correct cam impingement by reshaping the femoral head and restoring smoother joint mechanics. Dr. Seiter specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of FAI, using advanced arthroscopic techniques to relieve pain, improve mobility, and help patients return to the activities they enjoy while preserving the long-term health of the hip joint.

Candidates for Femoroplasty and Cam Procedures

You may be a candidate for femoroplasty if you:

Experience pain in the groin or front of the hip, especially during activity
Have stiffness or limited range of motion in the hip
Feel pinching or discomfort during activities like squatting, bending, or pivoting
Feel pain during sports, exercise, or prolonged sitting
Have been diagnosed with cam-type or combined femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
Have a labral tear or cartilage damage as a result of impingement
Have tried physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or injections without lasting relief

Dr. Seiter will evaluate your hip using a physical examination and imaging studies (such as X-rays and MRI) to determine whether femoroplasty is appropriate for your condition.

About the Procedure

Femoroplasty is typically performed arthroscopically using small incisions, specialized instruments, and a camera-guided system to access and repair the hip joint. The goal is to restore the normal shape of the femoral head and eliminate the source of impingement.

Femoroplasty (Cam Resection): Excess bone is carefully removed from the femoral head-neck junction to reshape the femoral head. This improves clearance within the joint, allowing the hip to move more smoothly and reducing stress on the labrum and cartilage.
Labral Repair or Reconstruction: Because cam impingement frequently damages the labrum, the labrum may be repaired or reconstructed during femoroplasty and cam procedures. This restores stability and integrity of the hip joint.
Combined Impingement Treatment: Many patients have both cam impingement (the femoral head is not perfectly round) and pincer impingement (overcoverage of the hip socket). In these cases, femoroplasty may be performed alongside acetabuloplasty (reshaping the hip socket) to eliminate friction and fully correct the underlying structural issue.

As all these procedures are typically performed arthroscopically, they typically have less pain, smaller incisions, and a faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.

Recovery

Recovery after femoroplasty depends on the extent of bone reshaping and whether additional procedures are performed. Most patients can expect:

Crutches for 2 to 4 weeks to protect the hip joint during early healing
Physical therapy beginning soon after surgery to restore mobility, strength, and joint control
Gradual return to daily activities over 4 to 6 weeks
Progressive strengthening and conditioning over several months
Full recovery typically within 3 to 6 months, including return to sports or high-level activity

Dr. Seiter and his team will provide a personalized recovery plan to help you safely return to your desired level of activity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is cam impingement?

Cam impingement occurs when the femoral head is not perfectly round, causing abnormal contact between the ball and socket of the hip joint. Over time, this can damage the labrum and cartilage and lead to pain and stiffness.

How is cam-type FAI diagnosed?

Cam-type FAI is diagnosed through a combination of clinical examination and imaging tests like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans, which reveal the shape of the hip bones and any associated damage.

Will femoroplasty relieve my hip pain?

By correcting the underlying structural cause of impingement, femoroplasty can significantly reduce pain and improve hip function. Outcomes are best when performed before advanced joint degeneration occurs.

When can I return to sports after femoroplasty?

Most patients return to sports or high-impact activities within 3 to 6 months, depending on the extent of treatment and their progress during rehabilitation.

What happens if cam impingement is left untreated?

Untreated cam impingement can continue to damage the labrum and cartilage, potentially leading to worsening symptoms, decreased mobility, and an increased risk of developing arthritis in the hip joint over time.

Is femoroplasty performed arthroscopically?

Yes. Most femoroplasty procedures are performed using minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques, allowing for smaller incisions and a faster recovery.

How is femoroplasty different from acetabuloplasty?

Femoroplasty reshapes the femoral head, while acetabuloplasty reshapes the hip socket (acetabulum). When patients have combined impingement, both procedures are often performed together.

Is femoroplasty permanent?

Femoroplasty removes the source of cam impingement by reshaping the femoral head and is often a long-term solution. Outcomes also depend on early diagnosis, proper rehabilitation, and minimizing future joint stress.

Femoroplasty and Cam Procedures

Candidates for Femoroplasty and Cam Procedures

About the Procedure

Recovery

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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