Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Physical therapy is used when your musculoskeletal structures are not broken with fractures or sprains. For example, you can benefit from physical therapy if you have a flexibility issue, hip instability, or hamstring muscle problems. It is also recommended when recovering from fractures or surgical hip interventions.
Physical therapy has various goals depending on your condition. For instance:
- You could benefit from strengthening the external rotators of the hip and hip abductor muscles. Muscle strengthening physical therapy can help you regain the strength and coordination needed to walk correctly. It helps treat muscle strains and sprains and may also help to alleviate pain due to arthritis.
- Core muscle strengthening is also fundamental if you have gait instability issues. Even if you think it’s useless, training your abs, lower back, and other structures can stabilize your hips and contribute to the success of the treatment.
- Flexibility and stretching interventions, especially in cases of muscle tension and muscle spasms.
- Balance training and coordination exercises, which are fundamental to preventing elderly falls.
- Home exercise programs designed for patients with a condition that can be treated at home. Home exercise programs are usually set as a complementary method or after you’re done with the main goals of professional-guided physical therapy.
Regardless of the method your doctor chooses, the goal is the same: to stabilize your hips and provide a better quality of life.