Hip injuries aren’t as well-known as knee injuries, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t common. In fact, evidence suggests that hip injuries are growing increasingly common among athletes of all levels — and even among those who do not participate in sports. Hip injuries, regardless of their cause, can be painful and have a significant impact on your quality of life. The following are some of the most prevalent hip injuries to be aware of.
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
The femur (or thigh bone) and the acetabulum, the saucer-shaped section of the pelvis that “cradles” the head of the femur to form the hip joint, are the two bones that make up femoroacetabular impingement. Bone spurs, which are hard growths of skeletal material that form along the surface of the bones in FAI, increase friction inside the joint, causing discomfort and making typical movements difficult and uncomfortable.
Hip Labral Tear
The labrum is a strong cartilage ring that surrounds the hip joint and keeps the joint components “in line” while allowing appropriate movement. Hip Labral tears can be caused by:
- traumatic injury;
- overextension of the joint or repetitive movement;
- abnormal anatomy – An irregularity in the form of the joint that puts an excessive amount of strain on the labrum.
FAI and labral tears can occur together.
Osteitis Pubis
Osteitis pubis is a disorder that occurs when muscles are pushed repeatedly over the front of the hip joint. The pubic symphysis, often known as the pubic bone, is inflamed in osteoitis pubis.
Pain while lying on your side, pain while walking, and a clicking sound when changing directions are all symptoms of osteitis pubis. This form of injury is particularly common in athletes who take large strides for lengthy periods of time (i.e., soccer players and long-distance runners).
Abductor Tear
Your hip abductor muscles help rotate your hip and move your leg laterally away from your body. Abductor rips are most commonly connected with high-impact sports, jogging, and impact-related accidents, but they also become more common as the hip joint ages and degenerates.
Muscle Strain
Overuse or repetitive use nearly always causes muscle strains, and failing to “warm up” prior to activity is a major contributing factor. While a strain may not be as “severe” as, say, a tissue rupture, it can induce weakness and instability, which can raise your risk of more serious injuries if not treated promptly.
Symptoms of Hip Injuries
Symptoms vary in severity, frequency, and location depending on the origin and extent of the damage. The following are the most prevalent signs of a hip injury:
- hip joint pain that might radiate into the leg, groin, or buttocks
- when attempting to move the joint, stiffness, or decreased range of motion
- When attempting to bear weight on the joint or rotate it, joint instability and pain occur.
- Especially with labral tears and femoroacetabular impingement, clicking, grinding, sticking, or “popping” sensations might occur.
Treating Hip Injuries
Many hip injuries can now be addressed with hip arthroscopy, a less invasive procedure. The surgeon creates small incisions near the hip joint and then inserts a small camera-equipped tool. The camera takes real-time images within and around the joint, which the surgeon utilises. to guide the surgery, minimizing the need for extensive incisions and the tissue stress associated with traditional “open” surgery. As a result, there is less bleeding and post-operative pain, as well as a significantly faster recovery. Hip arthroscopy may also be indicated to help diagnose the reason of hip discomfort, particularly if the cause is complex and difficult to detect with imaging studies and physical examination alone.
Please contact Simply Align Rehab Physio in Scarborough/Toronto at simplyalignrehab.com for further guidance on your Hip Pain & Injuries, or call or text us at (416) 628-8554 for your Physiotherapy or Chiropractor requirements in Toronto.