New concepts in the aetiology of primary osteoarthritis of the hip caused by femoroacetabular impingement.

The paper presents modern concepts in the aetiology and development of osteoarthritis of the hip. Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition characterized by a repetitive abnormal contact of the acetabular rim with the femoral head-neck region, which leads to the development of early osteoarthritis of the hip. There are three types of FAI: cam type, pincer type, and mixed type. FAI is diagnosed on the basis of history, clinical assessment and imaging evidence from radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound scans and computed tomography. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of FAI make it possible to halt the development of osteoarthritis of the hip.