Labral Repair for Hips: The Benefits of Physical Therapy

Labral hip tears can be a result of wear and tear or trauma. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint that requires stability to perform well. It is possible to perform labral repair for hips in many ways, including medication, surgery, and physical therapy. This article will review the many benefits of receiving labral repair for hips through physical therapy.

Understanding labral repair for hips

Types of hip labral tears

Labral tears are one of the most common causes of hip pain. They occur when the cartilage surrounding the hip socket is torn and can result from sports activities or falls that stress the body. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that helps stabilize the joint and keep it strong, but if it tears, it can cause pain to flare up in different areas around the groin and thigh.

There are two types of hip labral tears: anterior and posterior. An anterior hip labral tear is the most common of the two and occurs when there is a tear in the front joint of the hip. A posterior hip labral tear occurs in the back joint of the hip.

Benefits of physical therapy

The physical therapist will employ various types of therapy — including manual therapy, range of motion exercises, and strengthening exercises — each providing its own benefits. Manual therapy is when the physical therapist uses their hands to manually move a joint through its full range of motion, often combined with other treatments, such as medications, cortisone shots, and heat or ice therapy. This form of therapy helps to increase blood flow and decrease inflammation while also stabilizing the joints.

On the other hand, range of motion exercises, also called passive stretching, involves moving the joint through its full range of motion without any additional force being applied by the physical therapist. These exercises aim to mobilize the joints and stretch the muscles. Sometimes called impact exercises, strengthening exercises’ sole purpose will include using machinery and assistance bands or other objects to help build the muscles.

Physical therapy happens in stages, only progressing when the patient’s body allows it. Each stage will be introduced into one’s treatment plan as the tear begins to heal. Timelines vary from patient to patient depending on how their body responds to treatment and how well they follow at-home instructions. 

What to expect after physical therapy

In between physical therapy appointments, patients will be given specific instructions during each phase of their labral repair for hip treatment. These may include resting in certain positions, light exercises, and more. The timing of a full recovery varies but can take up to nine months. 

The physical therapist will educate the patient on how to resume their normal activities safely to prevent a second tear. Usually, if one experiences multiple tears in the same joint or area, the body may not cooperate with the same form of treatment; therefore, patients must remain diligent in these instructions.

Begin labral repair for your hips

Physical therapy is an important part of labral repair for hips, whether used independently or combined with other treatment options. If you believe you have a hip labral tear, contact us. We will help you schedule an appointment to determine an effective treatment plan for your condition.

Request an appointment here: https://ocptclinic.com or call Orange County Physical Therapy OCPT at (949) 299-0297 for an appointment in our Newport Beach office.

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