Hip Pointer Recovery Time
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What Actually Is a Hip Pointer?
To understand the recovery time for a hip pointer, a common orthopedic condition, it may help to know what the injury is. The quick answer is that a hip pointer is a fancy way of saying a deep bruise of the hip bone, surrounding soft-tissue structures, or the greater trochanter of the femur. Most commonly the bruise will be seen or felt along the ridge of the iliac crest, which is the bony arc that you can feel on your side. Occasionally the injury may be referring to the greater trochanter which is the bony prominence on the side of the hip. To learn more about the hip, please watch this VIDEO.
Hip Anatomy
What Causes a Hip Pointer?
A hip pointer is often a result of a direct blow to the hip or can result from a bad fall onto the hip.
What are the signs and symptoms?
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Discoloration
- Swelling
What Happens Next?
Hip pointer recovery time can vary based on the extent of the injury and what has been affected. There are many muscles that attach to the iliac crest that can become inflamed and irritated as a result of the direct blow creating pain with movement. To minimize hip pointer recovery time, one should address the injury immediately. If properly managed, hip pointer recovery time can be as quick as a few days or weeks. However if one chooses to ignore the symptoms, function will decline and recovery time will linger to months for healing.
To read more about the hip, please go to this article: hip pain cant wait
Woman with Hip Pain
What Are The Appropriate Treatments To Minimize Hip Pointer Recovery Time?
The treatment will vary based on the extent of the hip pointer. Due to definition of the injury being a “bruise,” initial treatment consists of decreasing inflammation and pain with use of ice, compression, elevation and rest. The injury can cause pain with movement, therefore some people may be placed on crutches to minimize weight bearing for a few days to allow the muscles to heal. If the injury is severe enough, a physician may prescribe physical therapy for stretching and strengthening of the hip muscles and abdominal muscles to aid with recovery. The athlete will then be cleared to return to sport once he/she regains full range of motion and strength.
What All Does This Mean?
In summary, a hip pointer is a bruise to the hip and surrounding structures. If properly addressed, the recovery time can be quick and one can return to sport within a few days to weeks. Ice, compression, and rest should be considered immediately. If necessary, immobilization with crutches to allow for rest may be recommended. Physical therapy may be suggested to aid with regaining full range of motion and strength to the hips and abdominals. If not properly addressed, the recovery time can take months to weeks. This is not a career ending injury, however dependent on severity and management, it may sideline an athlete for a short period of time.
Several Approaches To Treating Hip Pain With JOI Physical Therapy
Despite hip pain being a common complaint with people, there are a few easy forms of physical therapy which can help. Exercises for core strength and stability are used to treat and prevent pain in the hips. Ergonomic education is instrumental in treating hip pain, as the source of most of the pain comes from how people sit and/or stand for long periods of time. Lastly and perhaps most importantly is keeping up with your health.
Related Articles:
- Acetabular Fracture
- Anterior Hip Replacement
- 5 Hip Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
- Bursitis of the Shoulder
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