Hip Impingement (FAI) Rehab in Eagan, MN
What is Hip Impingement (FAI)?
Hip impingement, also known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), occurs when the bones of the hip joint do not fit together properly. This leads to abnormal contact between the femur (thigh bone) and the acetabulum (hip socket), especially during movements like squatting, cutting, sprinting, or kicking.
Over time, this repetitive contact can irritate the joint, damage cartilage, and lead to labral tears if not properly managed.
Hip impingement is common in soccer players, hockey players, and athletes who perform repeated hip flexion and rotation.
Common Causes of Hip Impingement
Repetitive hip flexion (deep squatting, sprinting, kicking)
Structural differences in hip anatomy (cam or pincer morphology)
Poor hip mobility or joint restrictions
Muscle imbalances around the hips and pelvis
High training loads without proper recovery
Symptoms of Hip Impingement
Deep groin pain or front of hip pain
Pain with sitting for long periods
Pinching sensation with squats or lunges
Pain with sprinting, cutting, or kicking
Decreased hip mobility or stiffness
Clicking or catching in the hip
I am suffering from hip pain, now what?
I am dealing with hip pain or hip impingement, now what?
If you’re dealing with hip impingement pain, the goal isn’t just to settle symptoms—it’s to restore mobility, improve movement, and get you back to running, cutting, and competing without limitations.
At First Touch Performance Rehab in the Twin Cities, we bridge the gap between rehab and performance so you don’t just feel better—you move better and come back stronger.
Book an evaluation now.
How We Treat Hip Impingement at First Touch Performance Rehab
At First Touch Performance Rehab, we take a sports-specific, movement-based approach to treating hip impingement so you can return to play without limitations.
1. Movement Assessment & Diagnosis
We identify the root cause of your symptoms, including:
Hip mobility restrictions
Core and pelvic control deficits
Faulty movement patterns during sport-specific tasks
2. Pain Reduction & Mobility Restoration
Manual therapy to improve joint and soft tissue mobility
Targeted mobility exercises to reduce impingement positions
Activity modification to reduce irritation while staying active
3. Strength & Stability Training
Progressive strengthening of glutes, core, and hip stabilizers
Emphasis on controlling hip position during dynamic movements
Improving force absorption during deceleration and change of direction
4. Return-to-Sport Progression
Sprinting and cutting mechanics
Change of direction and reactive drills
Sport-specific loading (kicking, skating, rotational movements)
Objective return-to-play testing to ensure readiness
Why Hip Impingement Rehab is Different for Athletes
Hip impingement is not just a mobility issue—it’s a load management and movement control problem.
Simply stretching the hip is not enough.
We focus on:
Improving how your body moves under speed and load
Building strength in positions that typically cause pain
Gradually reintroducing high-level athletic movements
This is the same approach used with professional athletes to safely return to sport.
FAQ About Hip Impingement (FAI)
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Recovery depends on severity and whether surgery is involved.
Non-surgical cases often improve in 6–12 weeks with the right rehab program, while post-surgical recovery may take 4–6 months or longer. -
In many cases, yes—but it depends on your symptoms.
A structured rehab program helps you stay active while reducing pain and preventing further damage. -
Not always.
Many athletes improve with proper physical therapy focused on strength, mobility, and movement mechanics. Surgery is typically considered if conservative care fails. -
Deep hip flexion positions (deep squats, low sitting positions) and repetitive high-load movements that cause pinching should be modified temporarily.