Utilization of Physical Therapy Prior to Consultation for Hip Preservation Surgery

Comprehensive conservative care prior to arthroscopic hip surgery is recommended, but not all patients pursue a course of physical therapy (PT) prior to consulting a hip surgeon. The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence and type of PT administered to patients with hip pain prior to consulting a hip surgeon.

We conducted a single-center, questionnaire-driven study at a young adult hip preservation clinic that exclusively treats patients with hip pain. Thirty (88%) of thirty-four consecutive new patients answered the 15-item questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to inquire about the reason for the visit, type of formal PT received (hip strengthening, leg strengthening etc.), and additional treatments received prior to the visit (electric stimulation, narcotics etc.). Descriptive statistics were utilized to quantify the reason for visit, PT prior to the visit, and type of exercises performed during physical therapy.

Overall, 21 (70%) patients received physical therapy prior to consulting with a hip surgeon. Of those who received PT, 91% (n=19) did hip strengthening exercises, 76% (n=16) did focused hip stretching exercises, 62% (n=13) did leg strengthening exercises, 57% (n=12) did joint mobilization exercises, and 52% (n=11) did focused core strengthening exercises. Only 48% (n=10) reported improvement in symptoms with PT. Of those who received additional treatments, 77% (n=20) took anti-inflammatory medications regularly, 50% (n=13) underwent electric stimulation, 31% (n=8) had chiropractic manipulation, 19% (n=5) underwent soft tissue mobilization, 15% (n=4) received steroid injections, and 12% (n=3) were prescribed narcotics for hip pain.

The present study offers insight into the incidence and type of formal PT patients with hip pain receive before consulting a hip surgeon. Treatment methods during PT visits are variable, which makes determining outcomes of conservative care difficult to assess in this population.Level of Evidence: IV.