Impingement is a cause of poor outcomes of prosthetic hip arthroplasty; it can lead to instability, accelerated wear, and unexplained pain.
Impingement is influenced by prosthetic design, component position, biomechanical factors, and patient variables.
Evidence linking impingement to dislocation and accelerated wear comes from implant retrieval studies.
Operative principles that maximize an impingement-free range of motion include correct combined acetabular and femoral anteversion and an optimal head-neck ratio.
Operative techniques for preventing impingement include medialization of the cup to avoid component impingement and restoration of hip offset and length to avoid osseous impingement.
