Rehabilitation of Soft Tissue Injuries of the Hip and Pelvis.

The athlete's hip is complex when it comes to the surrounding musculature-approximately 21 different muscles can cross the hip and pelvis region, all synchronously working to maintain pelvic stability and functional hip activities. Commonly injured muscle groups for high-level athletes include flexors, adductors, abductors, and/or proximal hamstring musculotendinous complex. These muscle groups work in harmony; however, each has an independent function and propensity for injury. Rehabilitation phases for each injury group can be broken down into 3 phases: acute management, strengthening, and return-to-sport or return-to-competition phase. Specific rehabilitation principles and modalities are described for each injury group.

Hip and Knee Injuries.

Hip and knee injuries are a common presenting concern for patients to a primary care office. This pathology represents a large differential and it can often be a diagnostic challenge for providers to determine the etiology of a patient's symptoms. This article discusses several of the most common causes for hip and knee pain while providing an evidence based review of physical examination maneuvers, imaging studies and treatment modalities to assist a primary care provider when encountering active patients with underlying hip or knee pain.

Return to Play in Amateur Soccer Players Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy: Short- to Mid-Term Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: To describe patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and return to play at any level in amateur soccer players undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome at short- to mid-term follow-up. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed for patients who underwent hip arthroscopy between March 2009 and June 2014. Patients who participated in amateur soccer within 1 year prior to surgery and intended to return to their sport after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome were considered for inclusion in our study. Patients were excluded if they had a preoperative Tönnis osteoarthritis grade of 2 or greater, previous ipsilateral hip conditions or hip surgical procedures, or Workers' Compensation status. The patients from the initial group who had preoperative and minimum 2-year postoperative measures for the modified Harris Hip Score, Non-Arthritic Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score-Sports Specific Subscale, and visual analog scale for pain were included in our final group. In addition to PROs, data regarding the patients' return to soccer, surgical complications, and secondary surgical procedures were collected. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients were eligible for inclusion in our study, of whom 34 (82.9%) had a mean follow-up period of 47.4 months. Five patients were not eligible because they did not intend to return to soccer. There were 15 male hips (44.1%) and 19 female hips (55.9%). The mean age at surgery was 20.8 ± 7.4 years. All PROs and the visual analog scale score improved significantly from preoperatively to latest follow-up. Of the 34 patients, 27 (79.4%) returned to soccer. Of the patients who returned to soccer, 19 (70.4%) were competing at the same level or a higher level compared with their highest level within 1 year of surgery. Regardless of competitive level, 21 patients (77.8%) reported that their athletic ability was the same as or higher than it was within 1 year of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Hip arthroscopy was associated with significant improvements in PROs for amateur soccer players. There was a high level of return to soccer and a high proportion of patients whose competitive level was similar or improved. As such, hip arthroscopy is a good option for soccer players, in the absence of underlying osteoarthritis, presenting with hip pathology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Recognizing and Managing Snapping Hip Syndrome in Dancers.

BACKGROUND: Snapping hip syndrome (SHS) is a common hip pathology in dancers. SHS can be either internal or external, resulting from muscle tendon tightness from repetitive hip flexion and extension, accompanied with hip abduction and/or external rotation. Muscular tightness may cause the tendon to become taut and snap over a bony prominence during hip movement, leading to muscular weakness and reduced range of motion from pain. Because SHS is poorly identified and can present similarly to other hip pathologies, many SHS incidences are underreported or misdiagnosed. Though SHS can begin as a harmless popping sensation, pain can become severe enough to limit dancers' activities and potentially result in the development of concomitant issues. EVALUATION: Physical examination for snapping hip includes moving the hip from flexion, abduction, and external rotation (FABER) into extension, adduction, and rotated to a neutral position. Dynamic ultrasound can also be used to study SHS, as using this method allows clinicians to observe the snapping tendon in real-time. Radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging may serve to rule out other differential diagnoses. MANAGEMENT: Conservative management through rehabilitative therapy is the standard for initial management. In severe cases, arthroscopic intervention may be useful in releasing tension in the pathological tendon. Active rest with training modifications should be attempted to mitigate further injury. CONCLUSION: Early and comprehensive examination and management can help to reduce SHS risk and potentially decrease the ability of this debilitating condition to derail a dancer's career.

Advanced Concepts in Hip Morphology, Associated Pathologies, and Specific Rehabilitation for Athletic Hip Injuries.

Hip and groin injuries comprise up to 17% of athletic injuries and can pose rehabilitation challenges for many athletes. Injuries involving abnormal femoral acetabular morphology, reduced range of motion, and decreased lumbopelvic strength and endurance also may increase the risk of injury to lower extremities and delay return to play if proper rehabilitation does not take place. The rehabilitation of athletic hip injuries requires a multifaceted interdisciplinary approach that manages the interplay of multiple factors to restore preinjury function and facilitate return to play. Emphasis should be placed on activity modification, preservation of the arcs of range of motion, functional strengthening of the lumbopelvic core, and optimization of proprioceptive and neuromechanical strategies. Communication between providers and the injured athlete also is crucial to ensure that proper therapeutic approaches are being applied.

Arthroscopic Surgical Procedures Versus Sham Surgery for Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement and/or Labral Tears: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (HIPARTI) and a Prospective Cohort Study (HARP).

Study Design Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial and a prospective cohort. Background The number of arthroscopic surgical procedures for patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) has significantly increased worldwide, but high-quality evidence of the effect of such interventions is lacking. Objectives The primary objective will be to determine the efficacy of hip arthroscopic procedures compared to sham surgery on patient-reported outcomes for patients with FAIS (HIP ARThroscopy International [HIPARTI] Study). The secondary objective will be to evaluate prognostic factors for long-term outcome after arthroscopic surgical interventions in patients with FAIS (Hip ARthroscopy Prospective [HARP] Study). Methods The HIPARTI Study will include 140 patients and the HARP Study will include 100 patients. The international Hip Outcome Tool-33 will be the primary outcome measure at 1 year. Secondary outcome measures will be the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale, fear of movement (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia), Patient-Specific Functional Scale, global rating of change score, and expectations. Other outcomes will include active hip range of motion, hip muscle strength tests, functional performance tests, as well as radiological assessments using radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusion To determine the true effect of surgery, beyond that of placebo, double-blinded placebo-controlled trials including sham surgery are needed. The HIPARTI Study will direct future evidence-based treatment of FAIS. Predictors for long-term development and progression of degenerative changes in the hip are also needed for this young patient group with FAIS; hence, responders and nonresponders to treatment could be determined. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2018;48(4):325-335. doi:10.2519/jospt.2018.7931.

Return to Play After Hip Arthroscopy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The use of arthroscopic treatment for intra-articular hip pathology has demonstrated improved patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with a lower rate of complications, reoperation, and patient morbidity as compared with traditional methods. Although the use of this minimally invasive approach has increased in prevalence, no evidence-based return-to-play (RTP) criteria have been developed to ensure an athlete's preparedness for sporting activities. PURPOSE: To determine if there exists sufficient evidence in the literature to support an RTP protocol and functional assessment after hip arthroscopy, as well as to assess the mean rate and duration of RTP. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: The search terms "hip arthroscopy," "return to play," and 10 related terms were searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science, yielding 263 articles. After screening, 22 articles were included. RTP timeline, rehabilitation protocols, and conditional criteria measures were assessed with previously established criteria. Pooled estimates were calculated for RTP rate and duration, and weighted mean scores were determined for PROs. RESULTS: A total of 1296 patients with 1442 total hips were identified. Although 54.5% (12 of 22) of studies did not provide a guideline for RTP duration after hip arthroscopy, 36.4% (8 of 22) recommended a duration of 4 months, while 9.1% (2 of 22) recommended 3 months. The most frequently described postoperative rehabilitation protocols were weightbearing guidelines (15 studies) and passive motion exercises (9 studies). Only 2 studies satisfied the criteria for a sufficient RTP protocol, and 3 provided a specific replicable test for RTP. The mean RTP duration was 7.4 months (95% CI, 6.1-8.8 months), and the return rate was 84.6% (95% CI, 80.4%-88.8%; P = .008) at a mean ± SD follow-up of 25.8 ± 2.4 months. Mean modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) improved from 63.1 to 84.1 postoperatively (+33.3%), while Non-arthritic Hip Score improved from 61.7 to 86.8 (+40.7%). A lower preoperative mHHS was significantly associated with a higher postoperative improvement ( r = -0.95, P = .0003). CONCLUSION: Significant variability exists in RTP protocols among institutions owing to a lack of standardization. Despite a high overall rate of RTP and improvement in PROs after hip arthroscopy, the majority of rehabilitation protocols are not evidence based and rely on expert opinion. No validated functional test currently exists to assess RTP.

Pinzamiento isquiofemoral como causa de coxalgia / Ischiofemoral impingement as a cause of coxalgia

El pinzamiento isquiofemoral constituye una entidad patológica que se presenta en las consultas de rehabilitación general y que cursa con dolor y limitación funcional de la cadera en el adulto joven. Se debe a un conflicto de espacio entre la tuberosidad isquiática y el trocánter menor, por donde discurre el músculo cuadrado femoral, produciendo cambios en su estructura. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de mediana edad con dolor de cadera de larga evolución y sin mecanismo desencadenante, que fue diagnosticada mediante resonancia magnética nuclear y tratada en el Servicio de Rehabilitación, mejorando la clínica inicial sin necesidad de aplicar opciones terapéuticas de segundo escalón (AU)

Ischiofemoral impingement is a frequent unrecognized cause of pain and functional limitation of the hip in young adults in daily clinical practice. This impingement is described as entrapment of the quadrates femoris muscle between the lesser trochanter and the ischium, causing changes in its structure. We present the case of a middle-aged woman with long-term hip pain with no known cause. She was diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging and was successfully treated conservatively in our rehabilitation service, avoiding second-line therapeutic options (AU)

Síndrome de pinzamiento isquiofemoral: a propósito de un caso. Diagnóstico diferencial y manejo rehabilitador / Ischiofemoral impingement syndrome: a case report. Differential diagnosis and rehabilitation management

Hay múltiples causas de dolor de cadera. Entre ellas se encuentra el síndrome de pinzamiento isquiofemoral, actualmente de etiología desconocida, aunque inicialmente relacionado con historia previa de traumatismo o cirugía, para el cual no existe un protocolo de actuación unificado (AU)

There are multiple causes of hip pain, including ischiofemoral impingement syndrome. The aetiology of this syndrome is currently unknown, although it is associated with a history of trauma or surgery. Currently, there is no standard of care for this syndrome (AU)

Implications of Core and Hip Injuries on Major League Baseball Pitchers on the Disabled List.

PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency of core and hip injuries in Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers and their impact on performance, workload, and pitch type. METHODS: Demographic, performance data, and injury data were acquired for 330 MLB pitchers with 454 injuries placed on the disabled list (DL) from 2014 to 2015 seasons. Core and hip/groin injuries were analyzed in which injury year data were compared with career data and against other injury groups. RESULTS: Core injuries represented 14% of all injuries and hip/groin injuries represented 7%. Average days on the DL for core injuries were 47.0 (standard deviation 5.6) days and 37.7 (standard deviation 8.1) days for hip/groin injuries. Return from the DL the same season for core injuries was 78% and 73% for hip/groin injuries. Core injuries returned to the DL 46% of the time (73% for noncore injuries) and hip/groin returned 56% of the time (60% for nonhip/groin injuries). No changes in workload were noted except starters with core injuries pitched less innings/game (5.3 vs 4.9 innings/game, P = .031) and more pitches/game (85.5 vs 78.4 pitches, P = .026). Fastball velocity decreased in the core injury group the year of injury (91.6 vs 92.2 mph, P = .001). Core injuries had slightly fewer home runs/9 innings and fewer strikeouts/9 innings; hip/groin injuries had slightly more strikeouts/9 innings, with all other performance statistics no different between the groups including earned run average and wins above replacement. CONCLUSIONS: Core and hip injuries in MLB pitchers result in similar time on the DL compared with other injuries. Pitching workload during the year of injury does not seem to have a significant impact on sustaining a core or hip injury. Although there is a high rate of return to play from the DL, there is a high rate of reinjury in these pitchers more often for other injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Assessing long-term return to play after hip arthroscopy in football players evaluating risk factors for good prognosis.

PURPOSE: Groin pain is the third most common disease in football players and has often been associated with hip pathology such as femoroacetabular impingement and labral lesions. Hip arthroscopy offers possibilities of function restoration via minimally invasive procedures. The aim of this study is to evaluate professional football player's injuries and their return to play after hip arthroscopy for FAI and labral injuries. METHODS: Patients that underwent hip arthroscopy between 2009 and 2014 were selected retrospectively. From this population, only professional soccer players competing at national level were included (Tegner 10). Arthroscopic surgery was proposed in patients with persistent pain. All patients were assessed for VAS score preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months post-op. HOS (sport and DLA) and mHHS tests were performed at the same time periods. RESULTS: All patients were men with a mean age of 26.5 ± 7.1 years old. Preoperative VAS (7.4 ± 1.3), HOS ADL (67.7 ± 5.5), HOS sport (37.6 ± 18.7) and mHHS (72.5 ± 8.8) showed improved scores during long-term follow-up. Time to return to play was 10.8 months (SD ± 4.3), with range between 4 and 20 months. Mean follow-up was 45.4 ± 15.6 months (range from 26 to 72 months). No differences were observed between non-active and active patients at final follow-up with respect to chondral lesions, but significant differences were observed with reference to management of the labrum (p = 0.031), where a higher rate of labrectomies existed among inactive patients and a higher rate of suture among active patients. CONCLUSIONS: Hip arthroscopy is a safe procedure with very good return to play results, but for optimized return to football one should consider patient age at the time of surgery, the condition of the labrum and low scores on the Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and HOS (sport version) as predictive factors for poor prognosis. Level of evidence IV.

Nonsurgical Treatment of Acetabular Labral Tears.

Clinical Scenario: Surgical treatment of acetabular labral tears has been explored in multiple studies, while there is a lack of research on the effectiveness of conservative methods. Focused Clinical Question: To what extent can nonsurgical treatment produce symptomatic or functional improvements in athletes with an acetabular labral tear? Summary of Search, Best Evidence Appraised, and Key Findings: The literature was searched for studies of patients with confirmed acetabular labral tears who participated in any level of sport. Four studies were located, all of which were included. Clinical Bottom Line: The research discussed in this review agreed that conservative management of acetabular labral tears produced measurable improvements in pain and function among the athletes studied, including their ability to participate in sport activities. Based on these findings, it appears that conservative management is effective at rehabilitating athletes with acetabular labral tears. However, this method should not be applied to every athlete based on the low strength of current research. Treatment plans should be decided upon on a case-by-case basis. Strength of Recommendation: The studies located were of low quality. The highest Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine Level of Evidence achieved was 4. Higher level studies must be conducted before the conclusions of this research can be applied clinically with assertion. Strength of recommendation is level 3.

Frailty and resilience in an older population. The role of resilience during rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery in geriatric patients with multiple comorbidities.

Hip fracture is common in the elderly and it is usually associated with comorbidities and physiological changes which may have an impact on functioning and quality of life. The concept of resilience may explain why this impact varies among patients. The aim of this open, prospective cohort study was to explore the relationships between resilience, frailty and quality of life in orthopedic rehabilitation patients, and also to assess whether these factors might affect rehabilitation outcome. Eighty-one patients, older than 60 years, underwent a multidisciplinary assessment at the beginning and at the end of the rehabilitation period following orthopedic surgery to the lower limb. The assessments were performed using the Resilience Scale, the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (as a measure of frailty), the WHO Quality of Life-BRIEF, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Functional Independence Frailty and resilience in an older population. The role of resilience during rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery in geriatric patients with multiple comorbidities Measure (as a measure of the rehabilitation outcome). A negative correlation between disability and resilience emerged and this association interacted with frailty level. We also found that resilience and quality of life are positive predictors of functional status at discharge.

Problems With Large Joints: Rehabilitation.

Patients with musculoskeletal injuries to large joints often improve with physical rehabilitation. Injuries typically result from acute macrotrauma or chronic repetitive microtraumatic overuse. Rehabilitation may require therapeutic exercise techniques to regain range of motion and flexibility, increase local muscular strength and endurance, decrease swelling, and reduce pain. Rehabilitation specialists may use additional modalities, such as heat or ultrasound, to decrease acute pain or swelling, although evidence for these modalities is mixed. In addition to treatment for acute or chronic injury, rehabilitation can prevent musculoskeletal injury or deterioration in chronic conditions such as arthritis. A trial of rehabilitation is appropriate in many patients with neuromusculoskeletal conditions to address loss of physical function due to pain, immobility, decreased flexibility, decreased muscular strength and endurance, joint instability, or loss of balance.

Sex and growth effect on pediatric hip injuries presenting to sports medicine clinic.

UNLABELLED: To compare sports-related hip injuries on the basis of sex and age in a cohort of young athletes. A 5% random probability sample of all new patients' charts over a 10-year time period was selected for investigation. The most common hip injury diagnoses, sport at time of injury, mechanism (acute/traumatic vs. overuse), and types (bony vs. soft tissue) were compared by sex and age (preadolescent vs. adolescent). Descriptive and χ-analyses were carried out. The interaction of sex and age with respect to hip injury over time was examined by two-way (sex, age) analysis of variance. A total of 2133 charts were reviewed; N=87 hip injuries. The main diagnoses for males included labral tear (23.1%), avulsion fracture (11.5%), slipped capital femoral epiphysis (11.5%), dislocation (7.7%), and tendonitis (7.7%). The main diagnoses for females were labral tear (59.0%), tendonitis (14.8%), snapping hip syndrome (6.6%), strain (4.9%), and bursitis (4.9%). The five most common sports/activities at the time of hip injury were dancing/ballet (23.0%), soccer (18.4%), gymnastics (9.2%), ice hockey (8.1%), and track and field (6.9%). Age by sex comparisons showed a greater proportion of the total hip injuries (38.5%) in males compared with females (8.2%) during preadolescence (5-12 years). However, in adolescence (13-17 years), the hip injury proportion was significantly higher in females (91.8%) compared with males (61.5%; P<0.001). Injury mechanism and type differed by sex, with females sustaining more chronic/overuse (95.1%) and soft tissue type injuries (93.4%) compared with males (50.0 and 53.8%, respectively; P<0.001). Females were found to have a sharper increase in hip injury proportion as they progressed through puberty compared with males (analysis of variance sex-by-age interaction; P<0.001). Hip injury mechanism and type differed significantly between males and females during growth. Notably, the proportion of hip injuries in the young female athletes showed a significantly greater increase with advancing age compared with males. Hip injuries in children and the interplay with growth, as it relates to injury predisposition, require further investigation to facilitate efforts aimed at prevention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: Cross-sectional epidemiological study.

The Epidemiology of Hip and Groin Injuries in Professional Baseball Players.

Injuries of the hip and groin among professional baseball players can result in a significant number of disabled list days. The epidemiology of these injuries has not been delineated. The purpose of this study is to describe the incidence, mechanism, type, and rehabilitation course of hip and groin injuries among Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) players. The MLB injury database for hip and groin injuries from 2011-2014 was analyzed. Occurrence of injuries was assessed based on level of play, field location, activity during which the injury occurred, mechanism of injury, and days missed. The treatment was recorded as nonoperative or surgical. The subsequent rehabilitation and return to play were recorded. Chi-square tests were used to test the hypothesis of equal proportions between the various categories of hip and groin characteristics. From 2011-2014, 1823 hip and groin injuries occurred among MLB and MiLB players, which accounted for approximately 5% of all injuries. Of these, 1514 (83%) occurred among MiLB players and 309 (17%) among MLB players; 96% of injuries were extra-articular. Among all players, a noncontact mechanism during defensive fielding was the most common activity causing injury (74%), and infielders experienced the most hip and groin injuries (34%). The majority of extra-articular injuries were treated nonoperatively (96.2%), resulting in an average of 12 days missed. Intra-articular pathology more commonly required surgery, and resulted in an average of 123 days missed. Hip and groin injuries can be debilitating and result in a significant number of days missed. Intra-articular pathology and athletic pubalgia were usually treated surgically, while the majority of extra-articular hip injuries were treated successfully with nonoperative modalities. Correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment can lead to a high rate of return to play for professional baseball players with injuries to the hip and groin.

Evaluation and Management of Hip and Pelvis Injuries.

Injuries to the hip and pelvis among runners can be among the most challenging to treat. Advances in the understanding of running biomechanics as it pertains to the lumbopelvic and hip regions have improved the management of these conditions. Conservative management with an emphasis on activity modification and neuromuscular exercises should comprise the initial plan of care, with injection therapies used in a supportive manner.

Hip Arthroscopy in High-Level Baseball Players.

PURPOSE: To report the results of hip arthroscopy among high-level baseball players as recorded by outcome scores and return to baseball. METHODS: All patients undergoing hip arthroscopy were prospectively assessed with the modified Harris Hip Score. On review of all procedures performed over a 12-year period, 44 hips were identified among 41 intercollegiate or professional baseball players who had achieved 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Among the 41 players, follow-up averaged 45 months (range, 24 to 120 months), with a mean age of 23 years (range, 18 to 34 years). There were 23 collegiate (1 bilateral) and 18 professional (2 bilateral) baseball players, including 10 Major League Baseball players. Of the 8 Major League Baseball pitchers, 6 (75%) also underwent ulnar collateral ligament elbow surgery. Improvement in the modified Harris Hip Score averaged 13 points (from 81 points preoperatively to 94 points postoperatively); a paired-samples t test determined that this mean improvement of 13 points was statistically significant (P < .001). Players returned to baseball after 42 of 44 procedures (95%) at a mean of 4.3 months (range, 3 to 8 months), with 90% regaining the ability to participate at their previous level of competition. There were no complications. Three players (1 bilateral) underwent repeat arthroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the idea that arthroscopic treatment for a variety of hip pathologies in high-level baseball players provides a successful return to sport and improvement in functional outcome scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Acute obturator internus muscle strain in a rugby player: a case report.

A 28-year-old male rugby player presented with severe onset of right hip pain when he fell awkward after a ruck during an international match. A rare case of an acute strain of the obturator internus muscle, a deep muscle of the hip joint, is reported, which resolved completely after a period of rest and intense active physical therapy.