Hip Injuries
As an athlete, your hips play a vital role in your performance. They bear the brunt of your body weight, provide stability, and allow you to twist and turn quickly and safely. So when a hip or groin injury occurs, either from overuse or a sudden impact, it’s important to treat it properly. That’s where the Henry Ford team of sports medicine experts comes in. With decades of experience seeing both professional and amateur athletes in southeast and south central Michigan, we’re the region’s leader in treating injuries like hip impingement, hip flexor strains, and more.
Common hip injuries
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Hip impingement/labral tear (FAI)
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Hip Bursitis
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Dislocated Hip
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Hip Flexor Strain
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Stress Fracture
When to see a doctor
If your hip pain is minor, avoid athletic activity for a few days and allow the hip to rest. If your pain subsists after a week, consult a doctor. Pain and discomfort inside your hip or groin area may indicate a problem with your hip joint, and pain on the outside of your hip, thigh, or buttocks may indicate a problem with your muscles, tendons or ligaments.
Other reasons to see a doctor include:
- Inflammation
- Low back pain in addition to hip pain
- Increased stiffness or pain during and after athletic activities
- Clicking, locking or snapping in the hip
- Pressure or tightness
- Fever
Request an appointment with an orthopedic specialist
How we treat hip injuries
At Henry Ford, we treat hip injuries with a comprehensive approach that begins with a physical assessment by a primary care sports physician. He or she will identify the source of your pain and diagnose the injury. Once a diagnosis has been made, we’ll design a custom treatment plan that ensures your hip joint is restored to healthy, working order.
Treatment options
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Non-Surgical Treatment
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Surgical Treatment
R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) — When a hip injury first occurs, patients should rest the affected area to prevent further injury from occurring; ice it to reduce pain and compress it to reduce swelling.
Physical Therapy — Many hip injuries can be treated with physical therapy, either on its own or in conjunction with surgery. For recovering patients, Henry Ford’s rehabilitation team takes a multidisciplinary approach, combining exercise and strength training with manual therapy at more than 20 outpatient facilities across southeast and south central Michigan.
Anti-inflammatory medication — Over-the-counter drugs such as Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, and Aleve can often help reduce hip pain from minor sprains and aid in initial recovery.
Hip Arthroscopy — With help from a tiny camera, fed into the hip through one or two small incisions, a hip arthroscopy allows surgeons to view, diagnose, and treat several hip injuries, including hip impingement and lateral tears.
Hip Replacement — Most hip replacements are performed to alleviate arthritis, but for athletes who’ve sustained serious hip trauma and/or broken bones, a replacement may be necessary.