Osteoarthritis is a common disabling condition that leads to joint pain and stiffness due to the gradual erosion of cartilage. Restricted locomotor activity and functional disability cause hip osteoarthritis, which is a common form of osteoarthritis. 

Over the past 30 years, almost all countries have experienced a rise in hip osteoarthritis.

However, manual therapy can complement conventional treatment approaches to assist in conditioning and building the endurance of surrounding muscles that support the joint. Regular physical therapy or conditioning programs should absolutely be a part of managing hip osteoarthritis. 

Total Performance makes it even easier to tackle OA with their expertise in manual therapy techniques. Their expert Doctors of Physical therapy will use their hands in different ways to loosen up joints and muscles to help reduce pain and manage hip OA.

Let’s dive a little deeper into Osteoarthritis and learn how we can manage it.

Understanding Hip Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, sometimes called “wear-and-tear arthritis,” is a common condition that can occur within any joint. It often develops in weight-bearing joints, such as the hip. Osteoarthritis of the hip causes severe pain and stiffness that can even make it difficult for you to walk or bend. 

Pain is the main symptom of anyone experiencing hip osteoarthritis. Although sudden onset is also possible, more often, it develops slowly and worsens over time. The most common symptoms of Osteoarthritis include:

  • Pain that flares up with vigorous activity
  • Increased joint pain during rainy weather
  • Decreased range of motion in the hip that leads to difficulty in walking and may cause a limp
  • “Locking” or “sticking” of the joint with a grinding noise
  • Pain in your groin or thigh radiates to your buttocks or your knee
  • Stiffness in the hip joint that makes it complicated for you to walk or bend

There is no single cause of this condition. However, factors that can contribute to osteoarthritis include:

  • Increasing age
  • Obesity 
  • Previous injury to the hip joint
  • Family history of osteoarthritis
  • Perthes disease
  • Trauma
  • Acetabular dysplasia
  • Femoroacetabular impingement
  • Slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Benefits of Manual Therapy for Hip Osteoarthritis

Manual Therapy for Hip Osteoarthritis has several benefits that can help you manage the condition. Some of the major benefits of manual therapy include:

  • Pain relief and improved joint mobility
  • Reduced muscle tension and improved flexibility
  • Improves your strength, standing balance, and walking ability.
  • Enhanced proprioception and joint stability
  • Improves your leg, hip, and back motion.
  • Teaches you how to reduce and self-manage your pain

Patient Evaluation and Treatment Planning

  • Subjective history and functional assessment: Patients can have this condition in their genes that would call for different treatment approaches. Experts will get a better idea during a functional assessment. 
  • Physical examination (range of motion, muscle strength, special tests): Patients will be assessed according to their range of motion, muscle strength, and other special tests.
  • Identifying contributing factors and impairments: Injuries, health conditions, or genes could be some of the contributing factors that doctors will assess to help plan the correct treatment. 
  • Setting realistic goals and treatment plan: It normally takes 6-8 weeks to start seeing significant improvement, but it is not a “one size fits all” scenario. So after thorough assessment, doctors and patients should be able to set realistic goals together. 

Manual Therapy Techniques for Hip Osteoarthritis

  • Joint Mobilizations
      • Voluntary and Involuntary movements: Voluntary movements are those actively controlled by the patient. Involuntary movements, which naturally occur alongside voluntary actions, help in facilitating and supporting the primary joint movement.
      • Graded oscillatory and sustained techniques: Oscillatory joint mobilizations involve applying gentle and rhythmic pressure to a joint. These mobilizations are determined based on the patient’s tolerance level, which allows for adjustments in intensity. In contrast, sustained techniques involve continuous pulling or traction on the joint for a specified duration. 
  • Soft Tissue Mobilization
      • Myofascial release techniques (e.g., trigger point therapy, fascial manipulation): These techniques are osteopathic techniques used to treat somatic dysfunction involving myofascial tissues and supportive structures.
      • Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization: This mobilization allows you to perform exercises your physical therapist recommends leveraging specific tools or equipment to strengthen your injured area. 
  • Muscle Energy Techniques
    • Isometric contractions and stretching techniques: Isometric techniques are those in which your muscles are engaged and may not need any help. Stretching techniques are among the most effective techniques to treat hip pain. 
    • Addressing muscle imbalances and compensatory patterns: This involves strengthening the underused muscles and incorporating specific muscle exercises into your daily routine to keep things balanced and prevent further issues.

Integrating Manual Therapy with Other Treatment Approaches

  • Coordination with exercise therapy (strengthening, stretching, functional training): Integrating Manual Therapy with other treatment approaches is a perfect way to get things done quickly and effortlessly. You can choose stretching and functional training exercises that are better associated with the treatment of hip osteoarthritis. This will keep you in check so you don’t try things that can cause additional hip pain. 
  • Complementary modalities (electrical stimulation): Treatment centers like Total Performance employ electrical stimulation techniques to assist in decreasing overall pain.
  • Patient education and self-management techniques: This is often overlooked… Patients should be taught to employ self-management techniques so they can hopefully prevent continued pain between manual therapy sessions.

Precautions

There are certain conditions where you need to exercise extra caution, including but not limited to:

  • Acute inflammatory conditions
  • Severe osteoporosis or fractures
  • Signs of adverse neural tension

Additionally, adjusting the pressure and manipulation during treatment to match the patient’s tolerance and needs is crucial to maximize benefits and minimize risks. Correct patient positioning is also essential to avoid complications.

Before treating hip osteoarthritis, you need to take some precautionary measures:

  • Start small and slow by gently introducing physical activity to the joints. Begin with light and easy exercises and then gradually intensify.
  • Always do warmups before and cooldowns after every exercise, beginning with stretching or other dynamic movements.
  • Remember to take a break and listen to your body if your hip or other body parts experience abnormal pain or discomfort. 

Key Considerations for Managing Hip Osteoarthritis

Managing hip osteoarthritis effectively involves addressing several key factors to prevent further complications.

  • Addressing Muscle Imbalances: Focus on common muscle imbalances such as hip flexors, abductors, and rotators. Incorporate a variety of exercises into your routine to prevent imbalances. For example, a runner might add weekly yoga and strength training sessions for a well-rounded fitness program. Ensure balanced training on both sides of your body with exercises like squats, deadlifts, and burpees. Include multi-directional exercises, such as rotating, pushing, and pulling movements. Additionally, changing up daily activities, like carrying groceries with your non-dominant hand, can help promote muscle balance.
  • Improving Gait Mechanics and Weight-Bearing Symmetry: Enhance gait mechanics by emphasizing the motions involved in walking. For example, practice stepping sideways to vary your usual forward gait. After surgery, it typically takes 6-8 weeks to bear full weight on the operated leg. Follow your doctor’s guidance for a safe recovery. 
  • Enhancing Body Awareness and Joint Stability: Incorporate functional exercises that focus on balance and joint stability to improve proprioception. Activities like double-leg and single-leg Bosu ball jumps or plyometric push-ups can be beneficial. By integrating these practices into your routine, you can manage hip osteoarthritis more effectively and reduce the risk of further complications. 

Experience the Benefits of Manual Therapy for Hip Osteoarthritis

Manual therapy for hip osteoarthritis is a highly effective way to get back to feeling your best. It offers numerous benefits, including pain relief, improved joint mobility, and enhanced leg and hip motion.

Techniques like joint mobilizations, soft tissue mobilization, and muscle energy techniques can make a significant difference, much like incorporating regular exercise into your routine with small adjustments. For optimal results, it’s best to seek treatment from qualified manual therapists.

Total Performance is now accepting new patients, offering state-of-the-art tools and a team of expert staff dedicated to evidence-based manual therapy. Visit Total Performance to build a stronger, better, and pain-free life, all with less time and money spent. Get started on your journey to recovery today!