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Physical Therapy After Hip Labral Tear Surgery: How It Can Help, Exercises, and More

You’ve been experiencing the pain and discomfort of a hip labral tear for some time. The doctors have concluded: it’s time for surgery. You can’t help but wonder what to expect from your recovery. Will you ever feel like yourself again? Good news. Physical therapy after hip labral tear surgery will help you to return to your favorite activities in no time. Learn more about your post-surgery rehabilitation and how PRO~PT can help.

Table of Contents

When Is Hip Labral Tear Surgery Required?

Doctors may recommend surgery when medical treatments, such as therapeutic injections, fail to reduce the pain and symptoms of a hip labral tear. Surgery is necessary if the labrum requires reconstruction or if an underlying structural abnormality has caused the labral tear. However, not all hip labral tears require arthroscopy. Physical therapy and strengthening exercises are often enough to help patients avoid surgery—even with a tear.

Is Pain Significant After Hip Labral Tear Surgery?

A successful hip labral tear arthroscopy should lead to a satisfactory outcome, with little to no pain. However, the success of minimally invasive surgery depends on several factors, including a rehabilitation plan. Before surgery, the patient should undergo: 

  • A thorough medical history 
  • Physical examination
  • Pre-operative physical therapy
  • Indicated imaging (such as an MRI)

Following surgery, the doctor should develop a treatment plan based on the specific findings from the workup and during surgery. This should significantly reduce the possibility of ongoing pain post-surgery.

What Type of Pain Do Post-Hip Labral Tear Surgery Patients Experience?

Oftentimes, the pain felt after hip labral tear arthroscopy is a direct result of the surgery itself. Even though the surgery is not an invasive one, the damage caused to skin, muscles, and tissues during surgery will need time and rehabilitation to heal properly. Unhealed tissues can be a source of ongoing pain, so it’s important to follow your doctor’s rehabilitation protocol post-surgery and to seek the help of a doctor of physical therapy. The experts at PRO~PT have been treating patients who have undergone hip labral tear surgery for many years, and we can help you too. For more information about the physical therapy services we offer, click here.

Physical Therapy After Hip Labral Tear Surgery: How Can It Help?

Physical therapy after hip labral tear surgery is critical in a patient’s recovery and rehabilitation. You can expect physical therapy to begin in the first few days following your surgery and last up to 12 weeks. A physical therapist will not only speed the recovery process, but they’ll also ensure that you’re healing properly and regaining your strength and mobility. Physical therapy after hip labral tear surgery can also help to prevent re-injury.

What Are the Goals of Physical Therapy After Hip Labral Tear Surgery?

Taking into consideration your previous health as well as post-surgery goals, your physical therapist will develop a treatment plan that will include any or all of the following strategies:

  • Education: The therapist will identify any external factors (footwear, exercise selection and frequency etc.) that could be the cause of unnecessary pain and help you make changes. 
  • Pain management: Your therapist will prescribe pain management techniques, such as applying ice, resting, or medication as necessary.
  • Manual therapy: Hands-on manipulations that move your joints and muscles will help decrease your pain while also increasing strength and improving mobility.
  • Movement reeducation: After surgery, you may be moving improperly, which can increase tension at the hip joint. Stretching and movement techniques to decrease the pressure will help restore normal motion in the hip, back, and leg. It’s important that you only engage in the movements recommended by your physical therapist, as some movements should be avoided.
  • Muscle strengthening: Hip pain can cause imbalances or weakness in the muscles over time. A physical therapist will develop an individualized strengthening program that will safely rehabilitate the area.
  • Functional training: Toward the end of your physical therapy sessions, you’ll be encouraged to transition into more strenuous activities again. Your physical therapist will create a program that will teach you how to safely and correctly introduce controlled movements.

What Are the Benefits of Physical Therapy After Hip Labral Tear Surgery?

The benefits of physical therapy after hip labral tear surgery include:

  • Strengthening the muscles surrounding the labrum
  • Increasing mobility
  • Restoring balance
  • Reducing post-surgery pain
  • Preventing reinjury

When Do You Start Physical Therapy After Hip Arthroscopy?

Following hip arthroscopy, you should see a physical therapist no later than 7 days following surgery. The therapist will develop a treatment plan that could last from 12 weeks to 5 months.  Your therapist will personalize a rehab plan dependent on how well you progress through each phase.

How Do You Do Physical Therapy After Hip Labral Tear Surgery?

Physical therapy after hip labral tear surgery should be performed by a board-certified doctor of physical therapy. It’s never recommended for patients to engage in physical therapy without the help of a professional. This can lead to improper healing and increase the risk of reinjury. The licensed physical therapists at PRO~PT have helped hundreds of patients recover from labrum arthroscopy. Let us help get you back on your feet and back to normal activities after your labral tear surgery.

The 5 Phases of Physical Therapy After Hip Labral Tear Surgery

Post hip labral tear physical therapy will occur in 5 phases, each contributing to the full recovery of the labrum. Following the protocol of your surgeon and physical therapist is very important. Patients should never attempt any physical therapy exercises without first consulting a licensed physical therapist.  An individualized treatment plan, both pre and post-surgery, is necessary for proper rehabilitation of labral hip tears.

#1: 0-4 Weeks: Easing into Treatment

Within the first week following your surgery, your physical therapist will ease you into a treatment plan to reduce pain and swelling while improving your mobility. Activities not prescribed by your physical therapist should be avoided at this time. Crutches may be recommended to reduce the load and stress on your repaired hip. During the first stage in your treatment, your physical therapist may include the following therapy techniques:

  • Manual therapy to reduce pain and improve tone
  • Initial exercises, such as riding an upright stationary bike
  • Education on how to safely resume daily activities
  • Passive range of motion exercises to promote blood flow and decrease inflammation

#2: 4-8 Weeks: Get Moving

As you gain mobility and begin moving with comfort, your physical therapist will begin therapy to improve your strength and stability and help to restore a full range of motion. Leg strengthening exercises will improve and normalize your gait and give you the strength to walk further and climb stairs. High impact exercises should still be avoided at this stage in your therapy. Fatigue is common as you’ll be engaging in various activities, including:

  • Walking
  • Upright bike with resistance
  • Swimming
  • Elliptical training
  • Core and leg exercises
  • Stability exercises

#3: 8-12 Weeks: Weight-Bearing Activities

At this point, you should be strong enough to engage in supervised weight-bearing activities. Continue avoiding high-impact exercises.  Exercises may include:

  • Walking and stationary bike
  • Bodyweight squats
  • Step-ups and step-downs
  • Lunges
  • Balance training

Manual therapy to mobilize your joints and stretch your muscles will continue during this stage of your therapy.

#4: 12-16 Weeks: Impact Exercises

As long as your therapy is progressing well, your physical therapist may introduce impact exercises such as jumping and running. It’s important to continue to discuss your comfort levels throughout your therapy. The evolution of your treatment plan is entirely based on your progress, as it will vary from person to person. Some of the exercises you can expect to do at this stage include:

  • Agility drills
  • Single limb strength and balance
  • Loaded and unloaded jumping
  • Jogging or running

Your therapist will expect you to stay dedicated to your home exercise program as well.

#5: 4+ Months: Return to Normal Activities

At this point, you likely won’t require physical therapy sessions anymore, but it’s very important to continue the home exercise program prescribed by your therapist. Full recovery could take anywhere from six to nine months. It’s important to consult your physical therapist if you experience any unusual pain or difficulty returning to certain activities.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Hip Labral Tear Surgery?

Every patient is unique in their specific injury and recovery.  While most patients can expect to spend four months in one-on-one treatment with a physical therapist, it could take up to nine months to fully recover. Most patients should be able to return to normal activities by four to five months post-surgery.

Can Physical Therapy After Hip Labral Tear Surgery Prevent Re-Injury?

With strict adherence to your physical therapy treatment plan, you should fully recover from hip labral tear surgery and return to your normal activities. The strengthening and stability exercises prescribed during your treatment program will improve your chances of recovery and also help prevent re-injury in the future.

The Licensed Physical Therapists at PRO~PT Are Here for Your Hip Physical Therapy Needs

At PRO~PT, our licensed physical therapists have helped rehabilitate many patients recovering from hip labral tear surgery. We are dedicated to providing unparalleled and innovative care to our patients, with a mission to return them to their best quality of life. If you’re scheduled for hip labral tear surgery, contact PRO~PT to discuss your pre- and post-op recovery needs.

Categories: Hip Problems• June 15, 2021