FAI

Medical abbreviation · Musculoskeletal & Rheumatology

FAI
Stands forFemoroacetabular impingement
CategoriesMedical

FAI stands for Femoroacetabular impingement, a musculoskeletal & rheumatology abbreviation.

Abnormal contact between the femoral head-neck junction and the hip socket caused by extra bone on the femur (cam), the acetabulum (pincer) or both. It causes groin pain with flexion and rotation in young active adults and can lead to labral tears and early arthritis.

Example: Cam-type FAI with labral tear, positive FADIR test; hip arthroscopy discussed after failed PT.

Usage notes

The concept was popularized by Reinhold Ganz and colleagues in 2003. A 2016 international consensus (the Warwick Agreement) defined FAI syndrome as requiring symptoms, signs and imaging together, because cam shapes are common without pain. Hip arthroscopy rates have grown rapidly. Pronounced as letters.

More musculoskeletal & rheumatology abbreviations

  • DISH – Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis
  • DJD – Degenerative joint disease
  • DM – Dermatomyositis
  • DMARD – Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug
  • DRF – Distal radius fracture
  • ESI – Epidural steroid injection
  • FM – Fibromyalgia
  • FOOSH – Fall on outstretched hand
  • FRAX – Fracture Risk Assessment Tool
  • GCA – Giant cell arteritis
  • GH – Glenohumeral (joint)
  • GTPS – Greater trochanteric pain syndrome

See all 71 musculoskeletal & rheumatology abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.