Crisis Plan Series
Hip strain
Hip strain, if left untreated, may lead to severe stiffness and pain. ¬¬¬Our role is to minimize such symptoms. If severe, hip replacement could be unavoidable. We believe that more could be done between rest/medication and operation. We aim to help delaying the speed of degeneration and to enhance quality of life.
The cause of injury is often trivial such as a minor strain to the hip, groin or buttock area. Not noticing the significance of the injury, the patient continues normal sporting and daily activities. The injury gradually recovers but not without leaving significant amount of scar tissues both intra- and extra-articularly (within and around the joint). Extra-articular (around the joint) soft tissues such as the capsular ligaments gradually tighten up and restrict movements. If severe or left untreated, hip joint space is reduced and intra-articular (within the joint) damage results. By the time when x-ray shows joint space reduction and articular (joint) surface degeneration, full recovery could be difficult! We therefore suggest seeing such patients as soon as all possible medical/surgical conditions are excluded.
Pain is often felt at the hip, groin or buttock area but may also radiate down the thigh. Knee to the chest and leg crossing movements are often stiff and painful. Hip joint external rotation (outward turning) at 90 degree flexion (forward bending) and flexion/adduction (knee to opposite shoulder) are often restricted and reproduce pain. With many manipulative treatment techniques available, we now suggest more proactive treatment approach to stretch and mobilize the hip. Hip joint traction (separation of the joint) with specific belt techniques and other mobilizations could be given even at the very acute stage, of course more gently at first. Internal and external rotation (inward and outward turning) exercises performed in comfortable positions are excellent for pain relieve and keeping the minimal mobility of the hip. As pain settles, piriformis (one of the buttock muscles) stretch is essential to restore full flexion/adduction. Many other muscle stretches are also important along with other hip mobility exercises into the end range. As buttock muscle weakness often occurs, hip extension (backward bending) and abduction (sideway) strengthening exercises should be encouraged. Similar to other injuries, such manipulative and self-treatment approach is required for the best recovery or at least for the deterioration prevention of hip strain.
Luck LI
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
The cause of injury is often trivial such as a minor strain to the hip, groin or buttock area. Not noticing the significance of the injury, the patient continues normal sporting and daily activities. The injury gradually recovers but not without leaving significant amount of scar tissues both intra- and extra-articularly (within and around the joint). Extra-articular (around the joint) soft tissues such as the capsular ligaments gradually tighten up and restrict movements. If severe or left untreated, hip joint space is reduced and intra-articular (within the joint) damage results. By the time when x-ray shows joint space reduction and articular (joint) surface degeneration, full recovery could be difficult! We therefore suggest seeing such patients as soon as all possible medical/surgical conditions are excluded.
Pain is often felt at the hip, groin or buttock area but may also radiate down the thigh. Knee to the chest and leg crossing movements are often stiff and painful. Hip joint external rotation (outward turning) at 90 degree flexion (forward bending) and flexion/adduction (knee to opposite shoulder) are often restricted and reproduce pain. With many manipulative treatment techniques available, we now suggest more proactive treatment approach to stretch and mobilize the hip. Hip joint traction (separation of the joint) with specific belt techniques and other mobilizations could be given even at the very acute stage, of course more gently at first. Internal and external rotation (inward and outward turning) exercises performed in comfortable positions are excellent for pain relieve and keeping the minimal mobility of the hip. As pain settles, piriformis (one of the buttock muscles) stretch is essential to restore full flexion/adduction. Many other muscle stretches are also important along with other hip mobility exercises into the end range. As buttock muscle weakness often occurs, hip extension (backward bending) and abduction (sideway) strengthening exercises should be encouraged. Similar to other injuries, such manipulative and self-treatment approach is required for the best recovery or at least for the deterioration prevention of hip strain.
Luck LI
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist