ACTIVECARE PHYSICAL THERAPY ®

Heal Yourself With the Best!

Treating Hip and Back Issues

By Karena Wu, as published in Total Food Service.

Lately, I’ve seen a lot of clients with hip and back issues.  The low back and the hip are neighboring joints that help each other out and at times can be indistinguishable in determining the source of pain. You can experience pain in the hip or glutes (aka the butt) but it can be coming from the low back. You can experience low back pain that is actually stemming from the hip. Either way, when the low back and hip are out of whack, it makes for a difficult time doing your daily routine, especially if you are on your feet doing prep work and then service. That makes for a long and uncomfortable day in the restaurant industry.

The hip joint sits deep in the pelvis, under the gluteal muscles. There are layers of muscles that support, control and move the hip. This joint is a ball and socket joint, like a golf ball on a tee. It is a weight-bearing joint that is closely intertwined with the low back and this area is a necessary support and foundation to our bodies. It is sturdy and can take a lot of impact but if it is too much or it is just in the wrong place at the wrong time, it can give out on us. And that is when you get what is called a labral tear in the hip.

The labrum is a cartilaginous piece that sits like a ring on the rim of the hip socket. This socket is actually part of the pelvis that is called the acetabulum.  The labrum exists to provide stability to this ball and socket joint. It is connected to the joint capsule and helps to close off the joint and encapsulate it, both for joint health and joint integrity. If it is damaged, the joint can degenerate from excessive shear, the axis of rotation can be off and the nutrition in the joint can be diminished. This repetitive micro-trauma can eventually lead to a macro-trauma within the joint.

Injury is the major cause of labral tears. Working in the kitchen takes its toll on the weight bearing structures in the legs, even if you are standing relatively still. But, start moving from station to station and you’ll get that repetitive trauma, possibly a macro-trauma if you slip and fall. So, repetitive motion or a single trauma are common causes. Structural changes (both congenital and functional, meaning you are either born with it or it changes from improper posture or use) can also cause damage and injury.  Symptoms are pain deep in the hip joint or the groin, clicking, catching or locking, stiffness and weakness or instability. The pain is typically local but can also radiate into the buttocks, side of the hip and even down to the knee.

Hip_Labral_Tear

People can live with labral tears but oftentimes have a baseline level of discomfort in the knee joint. They have to modify their activities to minimize irritating the damaged structure inside the joint. They might also have to modify positions so as not to stress the joint.

Physical therapy includes decompression techniques and modalities to reduce pain and inflammation, stretching and strengthening. The low back and core are also included so that the region exists in its most optimal position with good strength, stability and endurance. Planks, clams, straight leg raises, and squats are examples of strengthening activities for the low back and hip. We also use additional therapies like kinesiology tape to help increase neuromuscular activation during exercise and during your daily routine.

If conservative care cannot help, surgery is an option. It can include a labral repair (where the tissues are sewn together) or a debridement (where the tissues are shaved down). Recovery after surgery can take up to 4 to 6 months and you are able to return to all normal activities at the 6 month mark.

Whatever road you go down, make sure to consult your local physical therapist to start. Oftentimes, we can help avoid surgery. If not, we can make a recommendation to the best-suited surgeon at the appropriate time after injury. The goal is to get you back on your feet as quickly and safely as possible, with that hip joint of your bearing the weight of you and the drinks and exquisite dishes you bring to your customers.

Click here to read the original article, or visit us online at activecarephysicaltherapy.com to book an appointment.

Leave a reply