Common Hip Injuries
Osteoarthritis of the hip is a degenerative condition which normally takes many years to develop. When investigated there is normally limitation in internal and external hip rotation. Recent research has shown that the control of the deep muscles that surround the hip is extremely important in both the management and prevention of hip osteoarthritis. This condition is best managed using manual therapy techniques and specific therapeutic exercises that help maintain the control of the head of the femur (the long thigh bone) in the hip socket.
Glute Medius Tendinopathys a degenerative condition resulting from overuse of the tendinous junction of the glute medius. It sometimes arises after a lower limb injury particularly in athletes when there is compensatory movement patterns that are not addressed early in the rehabilitation plan. This condition is best managed conservatively with exercises that stress the muscle from a shortened position to a lengthened position against resistance. Correction of biomechanical faults in the lower limb is also important. Some pain is acceptable during exercise once the diagnosis has been made.
Hamstring Tendinopathy is a degenerative condition resulting from overuse of the tendinous junction of the hamstring normally near the buttocks. It sometimes arises after a lower limb injury particularly in athletes when there is compensatory movement patterns that are not addressed early in the rehabilitation plan. It is believed that hamstring tendinopathy arises due to excessive compression of the hamstring tendon on the ischial tuberosity . This condition is best managed conservatively with exercises that stress the muscle from a shortened position to a lengthened position against resistance. Correction of biomechanical faults in the lower limb is also important. Some pain is acceptable during exercise once the diagnosis has been made.
Adductor Tendinopathy is a degenerative condition resulting from overuse of the tendinous junction of the insertion of the adductors. It sometimes arises after a lower limb injury particularly in athletes when there is compensatory movement patterns that are not addressed early in the rehabilitation plan. This condition is best managed conservatively with exercises that stress the muscle from a shortened position to a lengthened position against resistance. Correction of biomechanical faults in the lower limb is also important. Some pain is acceptable during exercise once the diagnosis has been made.
Labral Tears of the
hip are proving to be more
common than originally thought. These injuries normally occur as a
result of twisting on the weight bearing leg during sport. The
sensation of pain is immediate and is usually located at the front
of the hip joint but this is often difficult to isolate. These
injuries often require surgical repair and a return to sports two to
three months post operation. These injuries also require specific
control retraining of the deep muscles of the hip.
Adductor Tears often occur during dynamic sports. These injuries occur more commonly in an eccentric direction ( the adductor is taken from a shortened position to a lengthened position against resistance) i.e. sprinting. As the leg moves under the body in the swing phase of running the adductors are rapidly lengthened and this requires the adductors to work hard to slow the thigh down. These injuries are normally felt immediately and there is localised tenderness with pain felt during active movements and in a stretched position. To recover from these injuries generally requires 2-4 weeks with an emphasis on flexibility, re-active training and eccentric strength. Reviewing the length tension relationships of the muscles around the hip is also important but particularly in recurrent cases.
