Hip Impingement

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, your doctor will move your legs into a variety of positions, to see if any of these positions reproduce your pain. He or she may also order one or more of the following imaging tests:

• X-rays. This technology uses small amounts of radiation to produce images of your internal structures. X-rays visualize bones much better than soft tissues.
• Computerized tomography (CT scan). A CT scanner takes X-rays from many different angles and combines them to create cross-sectional images of the bones and soft tissues within your body. It provides much more detail than plain X-rays.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using radio waves and a strong magnet, MRI is especially good at visualizing soft tissues.

At Mayo Clinic, tests are scheduled quickly and results are typically available on the same day or within 24 hours. Efficient testing helps Mayo specialists quickly arrive at a diagnosis so your treatment can begin as soon as possible.