Your hip joint is where the head of your femur, or upper leg bone, inserts into your pelvis at the acetabulum. Your hip joint supports your body weight when you are standing, walking, running and jumping. When dislocation occurs, there is typically damage to your pelvis and the ligaments and muscles that support the hip joint. A hip dislocation is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention. A doctor will manipulate your femur back into position before physical therapy rehabilitation can begin.
Inflammation Control
The first phase of physical therapy begins immediately after your femur has been put back into place. At this point, the main goal of therapy is to reduce inflammation and pain. Inflammation is a build up of fluids around your hip joint as a result of the damage done to the soft tissues holding your hip in place. Your body's natural healing process cannot begin until inflammation is under control. To decrease inflammation, your physical therapist may use cryotherapy. Cryotherapy involves placing a cold medium, such as ice or cold water, over your hip joint to reduce inflammation. Your doctor may also prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications to further reduce swelling and decrease pain.
Range of Motion
Once the inflammation and pain around your hip joint has subsided, your physical therapist may begin range of motion exercises. These exercises are designed to increase your flexibility in the ligaments that hold your femur in place that may have become damaged as a result of your injury. Ligaments can develop scar tissue where they insert into your bone, causing deformity and pain. Range of motion exercises will limit the amount of scar tissue formation, thereby minimizing it's negative effect on hip mobility.
Strength Training
After you have begun range of motion exercises, your physical therapist may also have you complete a series of strength building exercises for the muscles that cross your hip joint. These muscles may include your hip flexors, hip adductors, hip abductors, quadriceps, hamstrings and lower abdominals. Strengthening these muscle groups will increase the stability of your hip joint. Some of these muscles may have been damaged during your hip dislocation, which can result in a loss of strength and function. Strength training exercises will restore your hip muscles to their normal function.
Return to Normal Activity
Once your physician has determined that your hip joint has completely healed and your physical therapist has determined that you have regained adequate range of motion and strength around your hip, you may return to normal activity. However, your physical therapist may require that you continue the range of motion and strength training exercises you completed during rehabilitation to maintain flexibility and strength. This may protect your hip joint from re-injury and ensure long-term recovery.
References
- "Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques"; Carolyn Kisner and Lynn Colby; 2007
- "Essentials Of Strength Training And Conditioning"; Thomas R. Baechle and Roger W. Earle; 2000
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