Do you suffer from hip pain?

Due to our seated and stationary lifestyles, current research has shown a distinct correlation between our new lifestyles and lack of physical exercise as an identified behavioural risk for osteoarthritis (Reference #1). This, coupled with an average increase in weight, has resulted in statistics showing that severely overweight people are three times more likely to need total hip replacement surgery (Reference #1).

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Symptoms that indicate a hip injury can include (Reference #2):

• Pain over the hip region
• Glute weakness
• Unexplained pain through the low back, knee, or ankle.
• Referred pain running down the leg
• Swelling or redness over the hip
• Pain over the hip with activity
• Clicking, locking, or sensation of giving way

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Common hip injuries can include (Reference #3):

• Bursitis
• “Sciatica”
• Gluteal tendonitis
• Hamstring tendonitis
• FAI (femoral acetabular impingement)
• Hip flexor tendonitis

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What we may do

An osteopathic appointment at our Thornbury or Wagga Wagga Clinic will consist of:

1. History: This will include questions on your past medical history, method of injury, post injury history (returning to work, sport, etc.) and any subsequent treatment or exercise prescription that may be relevant.
2. Assessment and Examination: This will consist of orthopaedic testing, testing of range of motion and tissue quality, functional movement limitations, as well as any pain disability questionnaires that may be relevant.
3. Treatment: The extent and types of treatment that may occur during your consult will vary greatly depending on the cause of your shoulder injury. As such, the aim may be to:
4. Improve range of motion and mobility of joints within your spine, pelvis, hip, sacroiliac joint, knee, and ankle.
5. Decrease compression or irritation of nerves.
6. Decrease muscular strain and tension that could be affecting posture as well as hip and pelvic biomechanics.
7. Provide specific stretching and strengthening exercises or rehabilitation programs.
8. Provide advice for posture control, management of aggravating factors to return you as quickly as possible to work and sport, and symptomatic relief, such as ice/heat application, etc.

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If we feel your condition needs further attention, then we may refer you for imaging, to your GP, or to a specialist.

If you find any of the following apply to you, please contact us or your GP:

• Changes with bowel or bladder habits
• Unremitting pain at night
• Pain that can’t be eased with changes in position or activity
• Severe trauma causing obvious deformity

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References:

1.  http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/0/9E7B7AFA9DF69E20CA2571F60017A972?OpenDocument
2.  https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hip-disorders
3.  http://physioworks.com.au/injuries-conditions-1/perthes-disease

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