Female Athlete
Female Hip
Many women suffer from pain in the hip region which includes the thigh, groin, pelvic or buttock area. Due to the complexity of the female pelvic anatomy and functional anatomy of intimacy, pain in this area is not uncommon. The ligamentous laxity and resting tone of female pelvis is influence by many factors, including the underlying loose joints, depth of the hip sockets, width of the hips, ovulatory cycle, and loss of menstruation from pregnancy, hysterectomy or menopause. The trauma from labor, delivery or intimacy can also cause hip pain in women who are sexually active.
Treating female athlete or any active woman with hip pain can be challenging. After a thorough workup by a gynecologist to rule out causes such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, dyspareunia, ovarian cysts, scar tissue, dysmenorrhea, stress incontinence of the bladder, etc., a proper orthopedic evaluation is essential in diagnosing the cause of hip pain.
Women have wider pelvises than men, and absorb forceful impacts differently. This can include running or jumping activities where pounding on hard surfaces puts stress on the joints. It can also include twisting and pivoting activities like tennis or volleyball, where the socket is pinched.
We work in tandem with gynecologists and physical therapists who specialize in pelvic floor dysfunction. Dr. Hyman has successfully treated innumerable female athletes and women with hip pain due to a myriad of conditions.
Having hip pain does not mean you have to give up your activities. Eliminating the pain involves non-surgical strategies which include proper diagnoses, cryothermal therapy, cross training, rest programs, dietary change, aquatic programs and improving strength and mobility through rehabilitation. At times, orthobiologics, medications or injections may be useful.
Some of the common conditions we treat include:
- Hip labral tears
- Hip impingement (FAI)
- Hip inflammation or synovitis
- Gluteus medius or minimus tendon tears
- Trochanteric bursitis
- Snapping hip (iliopsoas)
Less common conditions, and involving more challenging diagnoses include:
- Piriformis syndrome
- Ischiofemoral impingement
- Deep gluteal syndrome
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Sacroiliac (S.I.) joint pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Avascular necrosis (AVN)
Some of the underlying causes of these conditions include:
- Hip dysplasia (shallow socked)
- Osteitis pubis
- Hypermobility
- Prolonged sitting
- Aggressive intimacy
- Horseback riding or equestrian eventing
- Yoga practice
- Deep squats (as in CrossFit or Weight lifting)
- Osteoporosis
- Stress fractures
- Femoral anteversion
- Anterior pelvic tilt
See Dr. Hyman’s input in the New York Times article on Flexibility being a Liability for Hip Pain in Yoga. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/03/sunday-review/womens-flexibility-is-a-liability-in-yoga.html?_r=0
