Hip Therapy

Hip Conditions

The hip is one of the most stable joints in the body due to how deeply the femur sits within the acetabulum. Its bony anatomy provides inherent stability, which is further enhanced by a strong labrum and thick joint capsule. Despite this stability, the hip remains highly mobile, allowing movement in multiple directions. Smooth cartilage lines the joint surfaces to enable frictionless motion. Over time, however, this cartilage can wear down or become damaged, muscles and tendons can be overused, and bones can fracture, all of which lead to significant pain and loss of function.

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Common Conditions We Treat

• Arthritis: Degenerative changes in the hip joint causing pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
• Bony Impingement: Abnormal contact between the femur and acetabulum leading to pain and limited movement.
• Bursitis: Inflammation of the hip bursae causing lateral hip pain with activity.
• Dislocation: Traumatic or chronic instability resulting in partial or complete displacement of the femoral head.
• Dysplasia: Abnormal development of the hip socket that can lead to early arthritis and instability.
• Fracture: Breaks in the femoral neck or acetabulum requiring careful management to restore function.
• Hernia: Inguinal or sports hernias may cause groin pain that mimics hip pathology.
• Hip Replacement: Preoperative conditioning and postoperative rehabilitation to optimize recovery and strengthen supporting structures.
• IT Band Syndrome: Iliotibial band tightness causing lateral hip or thigh pain, common in runners and cyclists.
• Labral Tear: Injury to the hip labrum that often causes clicking, locking, or deep groin pain.
• Muscle Strains: Strains of hip flexors, extensors, adductors, or abductors from overuse or trauma.
• Pinched Nerves: Compression of nerves around the hip or lower back referring pain into the groin or thigh.
• Sprains: Ligament injuries around the hip joint from twisting or impact.
• Tendinitis: Inflammation of hip tendons, such as gluteus medius or iliopsoas tendons, causing pain with movement.

Why Hip Health Is Important

Hip pain can present in a variety of ways, such as during sitting, standing, walking, or jogging, and even while sleeping. Pain may be felt in the front of the hip, the groin area, the outside of the hip, or in the buttock and gluteal region. Because hip discomfort can also stem from lower back issues, receiving an accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Addressing hip dysfunction early helps prevent secondary complications in the knees, spine, and other regions of the kinetic chain.

Comprehensive Evaluation Process

Choosing OrthoRehab Specialists for hip care means benefiting from a thorough, multi-step evaluation designed to identify and treat the root causes of your symptoms:

• Patient Interview: We start by discussing your medical history, symptom onset, prior treatments, and lifestyle factors. We want to understand how hip pain affects your work duties, athletic goals, and daily function, whether you live in Edina, Bloomington, or Minneapolis.
• Structural and Postural Assessment: Our therapists examine hip alignment, leg length differences, and pelvic stability. We look for muscle tightness, ligament laxity, and joint stiffness that may contribute to your pain.
• Dynamic Movement Analysis: We assess how you walk, run, and perform functional movements such as squatting or lunging. Video-assisted gait analysis can reveal compensations such as overpronation or asymmetrical stride patterns.
• Joint Mobility Testing: Measuring hip range of motion—flexion, extension, abduction, and internal/external rotation—helps identify restrictions. We also evaluate sacroiliac joint mobility to rule out back-related causes of hip pain.
• Muscle Strength and Flexibility: Strength testing of the gluteal muscles, hip flexors, adductors, and abductors identifies imbalances. Flexibility assessments of the iliopsoas, hamstrings, and IT band guide our stretch prescriptions.
• Functional Mobility Screens: Dynamic balance tests, single-leg stance, and agility drills reveal deficits in proprioception and neuromuscular control that can exacerbate hip issues.
• Orthopedic Special Tests: If indicated, tests such as the FABER (Patrick’s) test, FADIR test, and scour test help identify hip impingement, labral tears, and other intra-articular conditions.

Targeted Treatment Modalities

Based on your evaluation, our clinicians develop a personalized treatment plan that may include:

• Manual Therapy: Techniques such as joint mobilizations, soft tissue mobilization, and myofascial release improve hip joint mobility, reduce muscle tension, and promote circulation.
• Therapeutic Exercises: Progressive strengthening of the glutes, hip abductors, hip flexors, and core supports joint stability and reduces abnormal loading on the hip. These exercises gradually restore strength and function.
• Stretching & Flexibility: Targeted stretches for the hip flexors, hamstrings, IT band, and adductors address tightness that contributes to hip pain and impingement.
• Gait Retraining: Using visual feedback and video analysis, we teach proper walking and running mechanics to reduce compensatory patterns such as overstriding or excessive internal rotation that stress the hip.
• Orthotic and Bracing Recommendations: Diagnostic gait analysis and pressure mapping may indicate the need for custom foot orthotics, hip braces, or taping techniques to correct biomechanical faults and offload painful hip structures.
• Modalities: When appropriate, we use cold compression therapy, ultrasound, and low-level laser therapy to reduce inflammation and pain, accelerating the healing process.
• Functional Training: For athletes or individuals returning to demanding activities, we integrate sport-specific drills, plyometrics, balance training, and agility exercises to ensure a safe return to performance.
• Patient Education: We emphasize proper footwear selection, activity modification, and home self-care strategies such as foam rolling, hip taping techniques, and corrective stretches to support long-term success.

Other Conditions We Manage

In addition to hip-specific issues, our OrthoRehab Specialists clinics treat a full spectrum of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. Explore our other specialty pages for:

• Knee Therapy for ACL, MCL, meniscus, and osteoarthritis issues
• Ankle & Foot Therapy for plantar fasciitis, sprains, and fractures
• Spinal Therapy for low back pain, sciatica, and spinal stenosis
• Shoulder & Elbow Therapy for rotator cuff, impingement, and tennis elbow

Twin Cities Hip Physical Therapy Locations

For specialized hip care in the Twin Cities, contact us to schedule an appointment with an experienced Edina or Minneapolis therapist. Our clinics feature state-of-the-art equipment for hip rehabilitation and a team dedicated to helping you return to activity pain-free.