Pain in the hip or groin with sports? Trouble getting into a deep squat?
Hip impingement, also known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), is a common hip condition that occurs when there is an abnormal shape of the hip joint. This abnormality can lead to the development of bony growths called bone spurs or osteophytes, which can be identified through imaging tests such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRT).
Individuals with hip impingement often experience pain and discomfort in the hip and groin region, especially during or after physical activities that involve movements like deep squatting or bending the hip joint. The pain may start as a dull ache or stiffness and gradually progress to sharp, shooting pain that limits mobility and affects daily activities.
If left untreated, hip impingement can worsen over time, leading to increased pain and stiffness. Simple tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, or standing up from a seated position can become challenging and painful. In some cases, the pain may even be present at rest, disrupting sleep, work, and overall quality of life.
Managing hip impingement typically involves a combination of treatments such as manual therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and modifying activities to avoid aggravating the hip joint. In more severe cases, surgical interventions like hip arthroscopy may be recommended to address the structural abnormalities and alleviate symptoms. For patients who need surgery, we are totally prepared to work with our colleagues in medicine to ensure your success.
It is essential for individuals experiencing hip and groin pain, especially during movement, to seek evaluation and diagnosis to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment to prevent further complications and improve quality of life.
If you've already been diagnosed with hip impingement, theere are several options.
Before considering surgery, try chiropractic.
Hip impingement - especially at the early stage - can be treated conservatively. Our mission is to slow the progression of the impingement by improving mobility with specific exercises and adjustments.
The best part about chiropractic is that you can continue all of your medical treatments, like anti-inflammatory drugs, electrotherapy or shockwave therapy. Chiropractic doesn't interfere with your other treatments, it enhances them.
So for patients who have already decided to have an operation, have already been operated, or need to take painkillers, they can still be treated by a chiropractor.
What can a Chiropractor do for hip impingement?
Your first visit will include a full medical history as well as history of sport and injury. We will read any imaging you bring, so it is important to bring with you any MRT or X-ray that has been taken. Your chiropractor will determine how significant the changes to your bone are and make sure you do not have any contraindications to manual treatment.
Next, your chiropractor will watch the way that you move and walk. Through specific orthopedic tests, they will determine what muscle groups need strength training, what movement patterns may be causing pain, and where you need more mobility. They will proceed with specific adjustments to the required areas, and follow up by prescribing specific exercises for your pattern.
When to start chiropractic therapy after surgery
The best time to start manual therapy is before you have an operation. Not only does that give you a chance to mitigate your painful symptoms, but it also gives us a chance to correct poor movement patterns before they become permanent, build strength around the hip and other joints, and prepare your body for optimal recovery.
Depending on the extent of the surgery, and the amount of damage to the cartilage or removal of bone, patients need time to heal from the initial phase of surgery (around 10 days to 2 weeks). Your surgeon will give you specific information about your unique case, but in general, patients are encouraged to start moving again as soon as possible. Basic activities like climbing stairs and walking help build muscle around the hip.
Many patients complain of protective postures during the time before the operation, which have resulted in learned patterns that can persist even after the joint is corrected. While your chiropractor may not be able to adjust your hip for some time, they can help treat pain from incorrect postures or movement patterns around the 6th week after surgery. This includes low back pain, shoulder, and neck pain. If you are experiencing pain in the neck or upper back, you can be treated earlier.
Comments