This week we met a keen walker who had been suffering with outer left hip pain for the last 6 months.
The onset of the pain began after increasing their distance from 5 miles to 10 miles. Despite reducing their activity, the hip discomfort persisted and began to limit their ability to walk longer distances comfortably.
Initial Medical Advise:
They initially consulted their GP, who recommended a physiotherapy assessment for a more detailed evaluation of the problem.
Assessment:
The Physiotherapy appointment involved:
- A detailed history taking assessment
- Functional movement assessment
- Deep examination of the hip and the lower spine
- Neurological assessment and screening
Although the pain was located on the outer hip, the physiotherapy assessment findings indicated that the primary source and driver of the pain was coming from the lower back.
There were irritation and stiffness in the lower spinal joints and tightness in the muscles. This was causing referred pain into the outer hip.
Physiotherapy treatment included:
- Soft tissue release around the lower spinal muscles.
- Joint mobilisations to improve spinal mobility and reduce irritation.
- Guided rehabilitation exercises to improve function and strength in the pelvic region, thus reducing overload in the spinal joints.
- Advice on how to slowly build up walking distances, without flaring tendon and muscles.
After 4 sessions, they were completed pain free and back to walking 10 miles.