Education and Exercise for Patients With Longstanding Hip and Groin Pain

This study evaluates an education and structured exercise program for patients with longstanding hip and groin pain, often related to femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) — a condition where abnormal bone shape in the hip joint causes pain and limits movement during activity. Hip and groin pain is common in active adults and typically managed with surgery, physiotherapy, or a combination. This study tests whether a dedicated education plus exercise protocol can reduce pain and improve function, potentially as a standalone treatment or to optimize outcomes before surgery. Adults aged 18 to 55 referred to orthopedics for hip or groin pain lasting more than three months, with pain during the FADIR clinical test (a standard hip impingement assessment), are eligible. People with acute traumatic injuries, moderate or severe hip arthritis, hernias, low back-referred pain, serious cardiovascular conditions, or recent substance abuse history are excluded. Hip and groin pain in active adults is often mismanaged — either undertreated with inadequate guidance or overtreated with surgery when structured rehabilitation might achieve equivalent results. Understanding the value of education combined with targeted exercise gives clinicians and patients a clearer framework for the conservative treatment window before surgical options are considered, and could spare many patients from operations that may not be necessary.