PRP Injections for Femoroacetabular Hip Impingement (FAI)
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Hip pain can be frustrating, especially when it starts to affect walking, exercise, sleep, work or sport. For many active adults in London and Kent, one common cause is femoroacetabular impingement, also known as FAI or hip impingement. Patients often look for treatments that can reduce pain, support recovery and help them stay active for longer, and avoid surgery if possible.
One management option is platelet-rich plasma, or PRP. PRP injections use a sample of your own blood, processed to concentrate platelets and the natural growth factors they contain. The aim is to support the body’s healing response in a targeted area. For patients with hip pain who want to explore non-surgical options, PRP is considered as part of a personalised treatment plan.
Key Takeaways
Condition: Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) and early hip osteoarthritis
Treatment: Non-surgical, ultrasound-guided Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections
Purpose: Reduce joint inflammation and support localized tissue repair
Target: Active patients seeking evidence-led alternatives to surgery
Action: Schedule a clinical assessment at ACTIVATE Musculoskeletal Clinic
Contact: +447369222132 | alnaib@mskclinic.co.uk
What is femoroacetabular impingement?
FAI happens when the shape of the hip joint causes abnormal contact between the ball and socket during movement. Over time, this can irritate the labrum and cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. Some patients notice groin pain when sitting for long periods, squatting, twisting, getting in and out of the car or returning to sport. Others describe clicking, catching or a feeling that the hip is not moving freely.
If this process continues, it can contribute to early joint degeneration and mild hip osteoarthritis. That is why early assessment matters. A proper diagnosis can help identify whether the main issue is impingement, inflammation, labral irritation, early osteoarthritis, or a combination of these.
At ACTIVATE Musculoskeletal Clinic, patients in London clinics and Kent clinics can access specialist assessment, imaging and ultrasound-guided treatment in one streamlined pathway.
What are PRP injections?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. A small sample of blood is taken from your arm and processed to separate and concentrate the platelet-rich layer. This concentrated plasma is then injected into the treatment area, using ultrasound guidance for accuracy.
Platelets are best known for helping blood clot, but they also contain growth factors involved in tissue repair and healing. In musculoskeletal medicine, PRP is used with the aim of supporting a more favourable healing environment, reducing irritation and helping patients progress with rehabilitation.
For hip pain, PRP is typically considered when patients have ongoing symptoms despite rest, activity modification, physiotherapy or standard pain relief strategies. It may be particularly appealing to people who want to remain active and are looking for a more regenerative approach.
You can also learn more about how these treatments fit into our care pathway on our clinic services page.
Can PRP help patients with FAI?
This is one of the most common questions in clinic. The answer depends on what exactly is causing the pain.
If the main issue is a significant structural impingement that is mechanically irritating the joint, injection therapy alone may not solve the whole problem. However, many patients with FAI also have inflammation, early cartilage wear or associated soft tissue irritation. In these cases, PRP may be considered as part of a non-surgical management plan, especially when symptoms are persistent but surgery is not currently indicated for or accepted by patient.
The goal is not simply to inject and hope for the best. The goal is to understand the whole clinical picture. That includes the patient’s age, activity level, examination findings, scan results, symptom duration and response to previous treatment. When PRP is used appropriately, it can sit within a carefully planned programme designed to reduce pain and improve day-to-day movement.
Why ultrasound guidance matters
The hip is a deep joint, so precision matters. Ultrasound guidance helps ensure that the injection is delivered accurately to the intended target. This improves confidence in placement and supports a safer, more controlled procedure.
At ACTIVATE Musculoskeletal Clinic, ultrasound-guided care is central to our approach. Patients who need imaging can also explore our private musculoskeletal ultrasound service in London. If you are comparing options, our prices page for injections and ultrasound in London and Kent is also helpful.
Who may be a good candidate for hip PRP?
PRP may be worth discussing if you:
have ongoing hip pain linked to early degenerative change or mild osteoarthritis
have FAI-related symptoms with associated inflammation or early joint irritation
want to explore non-surgical treatment before considering more invasive options
are looking for a treatment plan that combines injection therapy with rehabilitation
want expert assessment before deciding between rest, physiotherapy, injection or referral onwards
The most important step is choosing the right diagnosis first. Hip pain can come from the joint, labrum, tendons, bursae or referred pain from the back. A specialist assessment helps determine whether PRP is genuinely appropriate rather than simply fashionable.
What to expect from treatment
The PRP process is usually straightforward. After assessment, a blood sample is taken, the PRP is prepared, and the injection is performed under ultrasound guidance. Most patients can go home the same day. You may be advised to reduce high-impact activity for a short period afterwards and then follow a structured rehabilitation plan.
Results are not always immediate. PRP is intended to support the body’s own healing response, so improvement often develops gradually over the following weeks. For many patients, success is not just less pain, but better walking tolerance, easier exercise, improved sleep and greater confidence in daily activity.
For more on PRP treatment pathways, you may also find our PRP preparation guide and PRP injections for hip osteoarthritis in London and Kent useful.
Expert assessment matters
The best outcomes come from matching the right treatment to the right patient. PRP can be a valuable option for selected people with FAI-related hip pain and mild hip osteoarthritis, but it works best when guided by a clear diagnosis and realistic plan. That is why a consultation with an experienced musculoskeletal specialist is so important.
At ACTIVATE Musculoskeletal Clinic, we focus on evidence-led, personalised care for patients across London and Kent. Whether you need a diagnosis, ultrasound scan, guided injection or advice on your next step, the aim is always the same: to help you move better, hurt less and make informed choices about your hip.
📅 Book your appointment online - 📞 Call: +447369222132 - 📧 Email: alnaib@mskclinic.co.uk
About the Author: Dr. Mustafa Alnaib MBChB, MRCS, MSc, FEBOT is an orthopaedic surgeon, musculoskeletal doctor and Clinic Director at ACTIVATE Musculoskeletal Clinic in Kent & London
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