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You’ll find that the hip is absolutely the greatest joint found within the body. In order to help a person keep their balance, the hip supports a large part of a person’s weight. The region of the hips is very important for movement, so dealing with either bursitis or arthritis is very hurtful. It can be common to develop hip aches and pains as one gets older, but luckily you can find exercises and simple lifestyle changes that can help to lessen any hip pains you may be experiencing.
To start off, a doctor should be checking your hip out before you begin any type of exercise program or prescription medicine. You don’t know exactly how or why you have this hip pain, as it could have happened because of a sport you were playing, or because of arthritis or bursitis. Speak to your Physical Therapist about what to do before you start any treatment.
Too many times we tend to think that no pain is no gain. But with hip aches and pains, you need to rest the area. This is especially true if you have injured the area during sports, a fall, or other incident. You’ll want to relax and follow the instructions above. Make sure to rest your hip for a minimum of 24 hours, at least! The more you can rest, the better you will feel.
You more than likely aren’t in the mood to run around or jump because of the pain you are feeling. But it’s crucial to avoid any type of high-impact aerobics or activities. If you do jump back into hard work or high-intensity exercise, your hip joints will quickly become even more inflamed than they already were, and you’ll suffer from more pain. If you must get some exercise, take a small walk. Walking does not have as hard of an impact on the joints and will help stretch them.
When you suffer from hip pain, having the right support in your shoes is more important than you may think. You’ll want to wear a shoe that has thick cushions, or add your own orthopedics. The sole of the shoe should also have really excellent shock absorption and should regulate the amount that you can turn and rotate your foot while you are wearing them.
A clinical exam and diagnostic ultrasound imaging can help your therapist pinpoint the exact location and cause of your hip and groin pain.
Ultrasound enables you and your therapist to view the hip and groin region in real time, while in motion. In addition to ultrasound, video gait analysis can help us identify faulty movement mechanics that contribute to hip and groin pain. Once the exact cause is determined, an effective treatment plan can be initiated.
Explore more advanced diagnostic tools available only at NYDNRehab:
Hip dysfunction and pain can be a complex issue due to interactions of the trunk, pelvis, low back, groin and hip joint. Physical therapy and rehabilitation that is based only on subjective clinical analysis often addresses the symptoms without resolving the underlying cause.
At NYDNRehab, our groundbreaking motion analysis technology and high resolution diagnostic ultrasonography have enabled us to develop a battery of tests that perfectly reveal the dynamic functional pathology of the hip joint and pelvis. Our tests are evidence-based protocols that are considered to be the gold standard in the world of research.
Our testing protocol includes:
Combined lumbopelvic hip stability test using DLEST methodology with C.A.R.E.N., our computer assisted rehab environment
Hip joint stability test using DLEST methodology with C.A.R.E.N.
3D star excursion banner test (SEBT) for assessing the involvement of the hip joint and muscles in postural stability
3D gait or running analysis
3D kinematic joint angle analysis during a squat, lunge, drop jump and pelvis on hip rotation
Rehabilitative ultrasonography for viewing intrinsic hip stabilizing muscle activation patterns
We also perform neuromotor testing with DD Robotech for:
SEMG
Surface electromyography (SEMG) may be added to any of the above tests when needed.
Based on our experience and evidence-based information, we believe that physical therapy and rehabilitation should be based on objective quantifiable data.
Below is a prime example of how ultrasound can take the guesswork out of diagnosis.
A bad physical therapy experience is one of the primary causes of unnecessary surgery
In this instance, an athlete was originally diagnosed with minor quadriceps muscle strain and was treated for four weeks, with unsatisfactory results. When he came to our clinic, the muscle was not healing, and the patients’ muscle tissue had already begun to atrophy.
Upon examination using MSUS, we discovered that he had a full muscle thickness tear that had been overlooked by his previous provider. To mitigate damage and promote healing, surgery should have been performed immediately after the injury occurred. Because of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, the patient now has permanent damage that cannot be corrected.
The most important advantage of Ultrasound over MRI imaging is its ability to zero in on the symptomatic region and obtain imaging, with active participation and feedback from the patient. Using dynamic MSUS, we can see what happens when patients contract their muscles, something that cannot be done with MRI. From a diagnostic perspective, this interaction is invaluable.
Dynamic ultrasonography examination demonstrating
the full thickness tear and already occurring muscle atrophy
due to misdiagnosis and not referring the patient
to proper diagnostic workup
Demonstration of how very small muscle defect is made and revealed
to be a complete tear with muscle contraction
under diagnostic sonography (not possible with MRI)
Complete tear of rectus femoris
with large hematoma (blood)
Separation of muscle ends due to tear elicited
on dynamic sonography examination
