The labrum is a dense connective and fibrocartilage tissue lining the socket of the hip joint. It functions to deepen the hip socket and improve stability and weight bearing during functional activities. The labrum is highly innervated on top and front portions of the joint and often refers to the front of the hip when...
Hip impingement, or the compression of the soft tissue or bony structures of the hip joint, has become the flavor of the week in orthopedic surgery. Surgical rates have risen 18 fold over the past ten years outpacing the available research on the condition. Previous research has shown up 68% and 67% of asymptomatic hips...
Hip impingement, femoracetabular impingement, is a common source of pain for patients. Much research is needed on this more recent diagnosis secondary to the high rates of impingement found in pain free athletes. In addition, more research is needed on the comparison of conservative versus surgical management of the condition. Patient’s undergoing arthroscopic surgery to...
Dry needling is an effective Physical Therapy intervention for the treatment of muscle pain and injury. Our previous post described a recent review article supporting its’ use for the reduction of short term pain and disability in multiple body parts including the spine and hip. Painful trigger points and muscle pain can also be treated...
Often in Physical Therapy we are asked if an image would help in our diagnosis or treatment of a patient’s symptoms. The answer is very dependent on the individual patient’s case but in most cases imaging has not been shown to improve outcomes. In prior posts we have discussed the strengths and limitations of diagnostic imaging...
The rates of surgery for femoroacetabular impingement (aka: FAI, hip impingement) have skyrocketed in recent years. Recent studies have shown that both Physical Therapy and surgery are effective at reducing pain and improving function in people with hip impingement. In our Boulder County Physical Therapy practice we have frequent conversations with patients about this evolving...
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) or hip impingement is a common condition among athletes. The condition results in abnormal bony contact between the pelvis and thigh bones at the hip joint. Patients demonstrates increased bone growth on the pelvis socket and/or ball of the thigh. Authors continue to question if these changes are pathological and need to...
Over 200,000 Americans undergo a total hip replacement often as a treatment for severe hip osteoarthritis. Patients who enter the surgery in a weakened, less functional state have worse outcomes up to 2 years post operatively compared to their higher functioning peers (Fortin et al. 1999, 2002). This is concerning because the most rapid recovery...
Rates of hip arthroscopic procedure rates for labral tears and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) have sky rocketed over in the last couple of decades secondary to more surgeons being trained in this area, as well as, a higher utilization of MRI testing in patients with hip pain. As we have discussed in prior blogs on imaging...
Arthroscopic hip surgery for hip impingement (FAI) has increased 2600% in the last 7 years despite the significant questions of many authors and experts on this condition. One of the most important questions regarding this condition is the development of cam (bony enlargement of hip) or pincer (bony enlargement of the pelvic socket) prominences in...
