How Physical
Therapy Can Improve Your Hip Health
Physical therapy offers a number of
benefits in hip health. It is often used in conjunction with
medications for the relief of hip arthritis symptoms, which affect
about a quarter of adults at some point in their lives, delaying or
eliminating the need for hip replacement surgery.
In acute hip
injuries or overuse injuries, physical therapy can
help patients recover more quickly and strengthen the hip to avoid
injuries in the future, and therapy can be used to correct issues
with body mechanics or posture that could lead to hip injuries or
chronic pain.
Hip Strength and Support
The hip joint is supported by a network
of muscles. These muscles work to keep the joint properly aligned and
operating smoothly, as well as helping to absorb some of the impact
on the joints that occurs with normal daily activities. When these
muscles become weak, the hip joint can suffer the effects of excess
stress and instability, leading to joint pain or injury, and over the
long run, chronic joint problems, such as hip arthritis. Physical
therapists work with patients to strengthen these muscles, restoring
hip support and function.
Balance, Stability and Safety
Weakness in the hip muscles can be
dangerous, causing poor balance and instability while standing,
walking and bending. That instability can dramatically increase the
risk of hip fractures and other serious injuries due to falls. With
the help of a physical therapist, strength can be restored to the
hips, improving balance and safety.
Hip Arthritis
Physical therapy is used extensively in
the treatment of hip
arthritis symptoms. Therapists work with patients to
strengthen the muscles that support hip function and stability, which
can help alleviate pain and inflammation. Flexibility and range of
motion are typically addressed with exercise and stretching
techniques to aid in reducing painful symptoms and increasing
mobility. Manual Physical Therapists use specialized hands-on
mobilization techniques, supported by the research, to help obtain
optimal hip mobility in hip arthritis sufferers.
Hip Replacement Rehabilitation
Physical therapy is essential to
recovery after hip
replacement procedures. Therapy begins almost
immediately after hip replacement with the goal of maintaining motion
in the new hip joint, strengthening the hip muscles, restoring
mobility, restoring normal walking pattern and improving balance for
successful return to prior function and community safety. Education
of the patient on important differences in joint function and range
of motion that can be expected with hip implants is also paramount to
reduce the risk of implant dislocation and failure.
Revision Surgery Recovery
Physical therapy is even more important
after revision procedures, which are surgeries done to correct
implant issues, such as failure, loosening or complications. Revision
procedures are often more complex than the original hip replacement
and recovery times can be longer and more difficult.
The most frequent reason for revision
is replacement of implants that have reached the end of their
lifespan. Depending upon the type used, hip implants last about 10 to
20 years before they wear out and require replacement.
Recently, many revisions have been done
due to premature failure or complications with metal-on-metal hip
replacement products, issues that have led to a great many hip
replacement lawsuits filed by injured patients.
Several of these products have been recalled, including DePuy ASR,
Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II, and Zimmer Durom Cup.
Patients have had
complications that include metallosis and osteolysis, serious
conditions caused by contamination of soft tissues with implant
debris, leading to pain, inflammation and in some cases, bone loss
that can cause the implant to loosen or fail.
Elizabeth
Carrollton writes about defective medical devices and dangerous drugs
for Drugwatch.com.
References:
When is Revision Surgery Necessary http://www.niams.nih.gov/http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/
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