LIFESTYLE NEWS - Exercise is one of the ways to improve your physical wellbeing and it aids in great measure to get rid of ailments, aches and pains.
Follow the exercise programme provided by the biokineticists at Anine van der Westhuizen Biokineticist in George and feel the difference.
This week biokineticist Lana Laubscher continues the series about hip pain.
Hip Bursitis
Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that assist in lubricating the movement of structures around joints. The hip bursa allows for the smooth movements of various tendons over each other as the hip flexes in different directions.
In some instances, this sac can become inflamed after repetitive micro-trauma common in long-distance running.
The inflammation can be very painful with symptoms predominantly over the outer aspect of the hip and radiating down into the thigh.
The treatment for this inflammation is similar to many of the other injuries: rest, the application of ice and the use of anti-inflammatory medications. Hip bursitis is also a sign of ineffective biomechanical patterns.
Stress Fracture
Although much more common in the foot and lower leg, stress fractures of the hip may also occur.
Stress fractures are the result of a combination of overuse in the setting of muscle fatigue and, in some cases, predisposed anatomical issues. Under normal circumstances the muscles and tendons absorb the vast majority of the forces transmitted during repeated ground striking.
However, with progressive fatigue, more and more of the force is transmitted to the underlying bone, and with time the bone may fracture.
Unlike a traumatic injury, in which a sudden tremendous force is applied that results in an obvious disruption of the bone, stress fractures are insidious and take time to manifest symptoms.
Stress fractures of the hip will cause a dull ache felt either in the groin or lower back, and this can delay the diagnosis, allowing more time for the fracture to worsen.
Once suspected, confirming the diagnosis can also be difficult as the bone may appear normal on plain X-rays.
Only more advanced imaging will confirm the problem.
Once diagnosed, a complete cessation of weight bearing exercise is mandated.
This is critical to prevent the stress fracture from progressing to a much more serious and complete fracture.
The duration of recovery will depend on the severity of the injury and, in rare cases, surgical intervention may be required.
Next week we will cover the last "common injury" around the hip joint and then we will have a look at the rehabilitation of these injuries.
Read a related article: Hip pain discussed
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