One of the most ambiguous sports injuries is the hip pointer. The name does not describe what exactly has happened to the hip. An ankle sprain is self-explanatory, a shoulder separation is self-explanatory, but a hip pointer requires some explanation. The treatments and recovery time can vary from individual to individual, but most aspects of the injury are standard.
Causes
Only direct trauma to the hip can cause a hip pointer. Sports Injury Clinic says the iliac crest, the bone that we feel at the front of the hip on our waist, is lightly padded by body fat, and can be vulnerable to injury if padding is not worn properly. This injury can be caused by a hit from an opposing player, or from landing on a hard object such as the football or another player's equipment.
Symptoms
The major internal symptom of a hip pointer is swelling around the hip joint, which makes any movement of the hip joint painful. The hip will bruise severely, causing soreness to the touch as well. In addition to the pain of moving the hip joint, the range of motion of the joint will be effected by the excess bruising and swelling.
Treatments
An athlete can do very little to treat a hip pointer. Elevation is impossible because of the location of the injury. The best thing you can do is get off of your feet as much as possible to allow the joint to rest. Ice the area liberally. If your athletic training room has a cold tub, you can sit in an ice bath to ice the full area more rapidly. Once your athletic trainer or an orthopedist examines the injury, you likely will be given an anti-inflammatory to help the joint heal quickly. Once pain has subsided slightly, massaging the area helps promote healing. If the bruising is severe and will not subside, it may be necessary to visit a physician and have the excess fluid drained
Recovery
After suffering a hip pointer, the goal is to get back on the field as quickly as possible. As soon as two days later, the pain should be decreasing, allowing for stretching and some movement. Any pain lasting more than two weeks should be reexamined for further complications. Increasing the padding at the area, typically by taping a knee pad over the hip, can allow you on the field sooner. You should only miss one game if you miss any. Many athletes, depending on pain tolerance, can return to competition within one week.
References
- "Football: Sports Injuries -- How to Prevent, Diagnose, and Treat"; John Wright; 2004
- Sports Injury Clinic: Hip Pointer
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