Hip Injuries

Hip pain can stem from a variety of underlying conditions. Problems with the hip joint itself, or the muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue that support the joint can all be sources of hip pain.  Hip pain may also be caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. The below highlight the sources of the most common types of hip pain we treat.

  • Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
  • Hip Bursitis
  • Piriformis Syndrome
  • Hip Flexor Strain
  • Hamstring Strain

 Post Surgical Rehab

  • Labral debridement
  • Hip replacement

Femoroacetabular Imingement (FAI)

Also known as femoroacetabular impingement “FAI”, is a condition that we see most often in young and middle-aged adults. 

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint.  Impingement occurs when the ball (femoral head) rubs abnormallyor doesn’t have full range of motion in the socket (acetabulum). Over time, restricted motion and friction in the hip joint can damage the cartilage that lines the socket. 

In most cases, the pain caused by FAI is located in the front of the hip. 

Hip Bursitis

Hip bursitis is caused by inflammation of one or more of the bursa(s) surrounding the hip joint.  Bursas are small fluid-filled sacks located throughout the body, where they act as cushions to prevent friction between bone and the overlying soft tissue (tendons and muscles). 

When treating hip bursitis, our first objective is to determine the cause of pain and discomfort.  Muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, and overuse may all contribute to inflammation of the bursa.  

Applying direct pressure to a bursa can further irritate the area, therefore, we apply manual therapy techniques to surrounding tissues rather than the bursa itself.  Once the acute pain is lessened, we prescribe corrective exercises for the long-term management of the condition.

Piriformis Syndrome

Often called a “pain in the butt” is a disorder that occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve. The symptoms associated with piriformis syndrome are pain, tingling and numbness in the buttocks. This pain may also radiate down the lower thigh and into the leg (along the path of the sciatic nerve).

Hip Flexor Strain

Hip flexor pain is common in athletes who engage in sports requiring repetitive motions of the hip such as runners and cyclists.  It is characterized by pain when lifting the knee to the chest, and inflammation in the hip area. 

Hip flexor pain can also be the result of a tear in one of the hip flexor muscles (usually the psoas muscle(s)) due to sudden trauma.

Hamstring Strain

Hamstring strain is the result of damage to one or more of the hamstring muscles.  It is a common injury in sports that involve frequent sprinting or jumping such as track & field, football and soccer.  Symptoms of a hamstring strain include a sharp pain in the back of the thigh, pain when bending forward with straightened knees, and, in some cases, swelling and difficulty walking.

Knee Injuries

In the absence of direct trauma, knee pain is usually a sign of an underlying problem elsewhere in the body.  Restricted mobility in the hip and/or ankle joint(s), muscle imbalances, and alignment issues can all put stress on the knee joint. Below are the common knee conditions we treat and rehab we perform.

  • Iliotibial Band (IT Band) Syndrome
  • Patellar Tendinopathy
  • Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
  • Meniscal Tear
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Sprain

Post Surgical Rehab

  •   Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair
  •   Knee Replacement
  •   Meniscal Debridement/Repair

IT Band Syndrome

The IT band runs along the length of the outer thigh, from the hip to the knee.   Friction between the IT band and the knee joint causes the area to become inflamed. Resting will decrease the pain and inflammation, but resuming activity usually causes it to recur. 

ITBS can be caused by many factors including muscle imbalances, hip weakness, myofascial adhesions (such as scar tissue), overtraining, or improper footwear.

Patellar Tendinopathy

PT is a condition characterized by pain and inflammation in the section of the patellar tendon between your kneecap (patella) and the area where the tendon attaches to your shinbone (tibia). During physical activity, PT often causes a sharp pain directly below your kneecap — especially when running or jumping. After a workout or practice, this pain may persist as a dull ache.   

Overused or inflexible quadriceps muscles or a lack of mobility in the hip/ankle joint(s) may put you at a greater risk for developing PT.  These muscular imbalances can put abnormal stress on the patellar tendon leading to inflammation and pain.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) (Runner’s Knee) refers to a group of conditions characterized by pain in the front of the knee caused by inflammation of the patellofemoral (PF) joint (located between the kneecap and femur). 

PFPS may be caused by patellar compression or tilting, joint or muscular weakness and instability, biomechanical dysfunction, direct trauma to the region, overuse, or soft tissue lesions.