Hip Injury Recovery Time

The Milwaukee personal injury doctors for legal professionals often see patients who are experiencing different types of hip injuries. Most times, physical therapy, muscle strengthening, and some gait strengthening may help to relieve the pain of hip injuries. The hip injury recovery time usually depends on the type and severity of the injury.

Common Hip Injuries

The upper part of the femur and the pelvis’ acetabulum converge to form the hip joint. Both of the joint surfaces are cushioned by articular cartilage. While the “ball and socket” joint can move in different directions, it is quite stable. The primary role of the hip joint is to offer support to the body in static and dynamic positions.

Hip injuries do not occur very often, because of the thick muscle tissues offering protection to the hip joint. However, the hip joint is not indestructible, in spite of its durability. With age and use, the cushioning cartilage may wear down or incur damage. Additionally, hip muscles and tendons may be exposed to overuse, and the bones can break in a fall or other injury.

Here are some common hip injuries:

1. Hip Fractures

As we age, the bones become weaker and more brittle. Weaker bones have a higher likelihood of breaking during a fall. Hip fractures are usually repaired through surgery. Most patients are able to go back to work 4-16 weeks after a hip fracture surgery.

2. Bursitis

The Bursae are fluid sacs, which are located between tissues. They reduce friction from the rubbing together of bones, muscles, and tendons. The inflammation of the bursa is painful and is usually caused by repetitive activities that irritate the hip joint.

Hip (trochanteric) bursitis may recover without treatment over several weeks, but some cases may need surgery. Most patients require an overnight stay in the hospital, though it’s possible to go home after the surgery day. The incision wounds take around ten days to heal. The average recovery time is 6-12 weeks for most patients.

3. Tendinitis

Tendons are thick tissue bands that connect bones to muscles. The inflammation or irritation of tendons is called tendinitis. It usually results from repetitive stress from overuse. Hip injury recovery time for tendonitis is about three to six weeks.

4. Muscle or Tendon Strain

Repetitive activities usually put a strain on ligaments, muscles, and tendons supporting the hips. Inflammation of those parts because of overuse can prevent the hip from functioning properly. A mild strain in the hips may take a few weeks to recover, but a severe strain takes at least six weeks to heal. Failure to rest adequately usually leads to a worse injury.

5. Hip Labral Tear

It’s a rip that occurs in the ring of cartilage (labrum) that follows the exterior rim of the hip joint’s socket. In addition to cushioning the hip joint, the labrum also holds the top of the thigh bone securely within the hip socket. People who perform repetitive twisting motions such as athletes are more likely to develop this problem.

The recovery time for a hip labrum repair surgery will depend on whether a patient undergoes arthroscopic or open hip surgery. People who undergo arthroscopic hip surgery usually have to use crutches for two to four weeks. With open surgery, the patients may need to stay with crutches for around 6 weeks.

If you have suffered any form of a hip injury, the Wisconsin Medical Group can help. Contact us today at (414)-897-8897 to schedule an appointment.