The hip is an important weight bearing joint in the human body. Repetitive stress to the femur (thigh bone) over time can lead to the formation of cracks in the hip joint, which is the junction of the pelvis and the femur. For most individuals, simple cracks can heal over time without the need for surgical intervention. For others, it may escalate into a fracture.
A fracture can occur in one of three possible locations – at the top near where the femur joins the pelvis, in the middle of the thigh bone, or the bottom near the knee joint. The femur reaches a breaking with a fall (a particular risk for seniors), vehicle accident, or during competitive sports.
Regardless of the location of the fracture, an individual will experience extreme pain and movement restriction. Tingling or numbness in the area may accompany the pain, along with swelling and the inability to walk, stand or tolerate pressure on the leg. If left untreated, complications may include uncontrolled bleeding, blot clots, infection and pneumonia.
The femur is a major weight-bearing bone and the rate at which it heals is dependent on factors such as age and underlying medical conditions such as diabetes. Full recovery can take approximately 12 weeks to several months and may require surgical intervention.
Hip Pain Away
Let’s face it – no one wants to be in crutches or have to struggle to walk. Hip pain can impact every aspect of life, from getting out of bed in the morning to driving and walking.
The good news is that physical therapy has two
significant benefits for anyone with hip pain:
● Improve healing so you have less pain and can get
back to the things you enjoy doing.
● Prevent further damage to the hip joint and reduce your risk of falls.
The benefit of physical therapy extends beyond strength improvement in the hip joint and pelvic muscles. This can also help reduce or treat low back pain, improve posture and boost the quality of life.
If you or someone you know is experiencing hip discomfort, call us today. Let us help heal your pain.
Get Treatment Immediately – Time is of the Essence
If you have hip pain, it’s important to rule out a fracture in the hip joint and seek physical therapy right away. This will protect your balance, ability to walk unhindered, eliminate pain and improve bone strength.
Depending upon the severity of the injury and the stage of recovery, physical therapy may involve a combination of exercise, stretching, balance training and pain relief modalities.
When the correct movement pattern is reinforced in the muscles and joints, the process of recovery begins. This is called ‘neuromuscular re-education’ and includes a variety of advanced techniques to speed up recovery.
The use of water as a medium to reduce pain and swelling, increase strength and improve mobility is also helpful. Massage under the guidance of a physical therapist also helps relieve pain and improve mobility. Several exercise programs can be prescribed to build core and pelvic floor strength to aid in balance and prevent falls. In some cases, physical therapist may recommend mobility devices such as crutches and canes.