With Andy Murray returning from a hip injury, we thought it would make sense to discuss the main causes of hip pain and how physiotherapy can help.
Hip Osteoarthritis
Hip osteoarthritis is an inflammation of the joint, which leads to roughening and thinning of the cartilage covering the end of the bone, in this case the femur and the acetabulum (see figure 1.) This can lead to thickening of the capsule and ligaments surrounding the joint. This intern leads to stiffness and pain, normally felt in the groin region and also in the outside of the hip, and even down the thigh to the knee. Patients will often report feeling stiff in the morning and having difficulty putting their shoes and socks on.
Physiotherapy can help by reducing the stiffness, improving the range of movement and strengthening up the hip muscles. This should all lead to reduction in pain for the patient. At Thorpes Physiotherapy, our staff also use manual techniques, acupuncture and hydrotherapy to reduce symptoms.
Hip Impingement
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition in which extra bone grows along one or both of the bones that form the hip joint — giving the bones an irregular shape. This can cause restriction into specific movements and over a period of time pain. You can also have FAI, but have no symptoms at all. There are two types of impingement; Cam which is an extra bony growth on the neck of the femur (thigh bone) and pincer, which is an extra bony growth on the acetabulum (hip socket).
Physiotherapy can help hip impingement by reducing stiffness and strengthening the hip muscles. In particular, gluteal muscle strengthening can help, as it reduces the hip falling into internal rotation (picture B), which irritates the impingement.
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS)
Previously known as bursitis, GTPS is more prevalent in women and in people over the age of 40 years old. It normally presents as pain on the outside of the hip, and in the buttock. It is normally caused by a change in activity, either increase or decrease, which overloads or underloads the gluteal tendons. This can then lead to inflammation of the two bursas locally.
Strengthening of the gluteal muscles is paramount here, but physiotherapy can also help through treatments to the tissue as well.
So if you are suffering with hip pain and would like some help either call us on 01276 37670, email admin@thorpesphysiotherapy.com or book online by clicking this button
Warm regards
Jonathan Smith
Director of Thorpes Physiotherapy Ltd