The importance of sex of patient in the management of femoroacetabular impingement.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), a recently described hip condition in adolescents and young adults, typically manifests as activity-related hip pain. Characteristic physical findings include limited passive internal rotation of the affected hip and a positive impingement sign. Diagnostic imaging may reveal cam and/or pincer lesions, and associated intra-articular pathology (eg, labral tear, chondral damage) is common. When nonoperative treatment fails to adequately alleviate symptoms, surgery may be warranted. Both open and arthroscopic techniques have been effective. As our understanding of FAI continues to evolve, sex-based differences in incidence, presentation, and outcomes for patients with FAI have become apparent. Understanding the different ways in which males and females may present with FAI and then changing clinical practice patterns to accommodate these sexual dimorphisms will likely result in improved outcomes for each patient with symptomatic FAI.