How physical therapy can help hip dysplasia

Have you ever heard of hip dysplasia? It's a condition that involves the abnormal development of the hip socket. This condition prevents the head of the thighbone from fitting into the socket properly. It’s usually caused by congenital disorders and occurs more frequently in women than men. Those with hip dysplasia experience hip pain when walking and with activity. They also experience unusual gait patterns, balance problems, and one lower limb that’s shorter than the other. This condition affects about 1 out of every 1,000 babies who are born. If you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, treatment can be possible with the help of a physical therapist. 

How can physical therapists help with the symptoms of hip dysplasia?

Physical therapy specialists can help those who are struggling with the symptoms of hip dysplasia. Specific ways that physical therapists can help patients include:

• Encouraging gentle movement — PT specialists can encourage their patients to perform gentle movements during regular PT sessions. For those with hip dysplasia, regular movement can help alleviate or minimize symptoms.
   
• Recommending stretching — Another way that PT specialists can help is by recommending gentle stretching during regular PT sessions and at home, to help keep the hips mobile and reduce stiffness.
   
• Decreasing hip pain and discomfort — One of the biggest benefits of PT for hip dysplasia is that it can decrease hip pain and discomfort. Physical therapists can use specific movements and exercises to reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain.
   
• Improving flexibility and balance — Symptoms of hip dysplasia include poor flexibility and balance. Fortunately, physical therapy can be used to treat these symptoms so that a patient can experience greater ease and comfort during movement.

What are some physical therapy exercises that can be used to help someone with hip dysplasia?

Your physical therapist may have you perform  exercises during your sessions to alleviate the symptoms of hip dysplasia. Here are some examples of exercises your therapist may recommend:

• Lateral banded walk — A common physical therapy exercise that is used to treat hip dysplasia is the lateral banded walk. To perform the lateral banded walk, your physical therapist will ask you to wear an exercise band around your ankles. Then, you’ll need to bend your knees slightly and make little sideways crab steps. The lateral banded walk will help build strength in your hips and can ultimately reduce some of the pain and discomfort you may be feeling.
   
• Hip abduction exercises — Hip abduction exercises are performed by lying on your side with your elbow and forearm propping up your upper body. From there, with an exercise band wrapped around the quadriceps above your knee, you’ll slowly raise one leg up into the air and hold that position for a few seconds before slowly lowering again. You’ll perform that movement several times on one leg before turning your body to face the other direction and stretching the opposite leg and hip.
   
• Glute activations — Another exercise that can be used to treat hip dysplasia is glute activations. To perform glute activation exercises, lie with your back on the floor. Then, raise your hips up off the floor while keeping the soles of your feet flat on the ground. You’ll activate your glutes by slowly lifting your hips into a bridge position and holding it for a few seconds before releasing.

Alliance PTP wants to help you find caring, effective and convenient physical therapy for your hip dysplasia

Caring. Effective. Convenient. These are words that you may not think about when you think of physical therapy, but Alliance Physical Therapy Partners is here to change that. 

Our partner network is staffed by caring physical therapists who are ready to provide you with effective, personalized care for your hip dysplasia symptoms. And we offer both in-person and virtual PT sessions, so you’ll be able to choose the care that’s most convenient for you. 

Get in touch with our team today to learn more about our caring, effective and convenient PT.