HIP
Expert Care for Hip Pain, Movement Disorders, and Post-Surgical Recovery
The hip is one of the largest and most important joints in the body. As a ball-and-socket joint, it provides both stability and mobility, allowing us to walk, run, climb stairs, squat, lift, and participate in recreational activities. Because the hip serves as a critical link between the spine and lower extremities, dysfunction within the hip can contribute to pain and movement limitations throughout the body.
At Forza Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, we provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for a wide range of hip conditions affecting athletes, active adults, workers, and individuals recovering from surgery. Conditions we treat include hip osteoarthritis, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), hip labral tears, greater trochanteric pain syndrome (hip bursitis), gluteal tendinopathy, hip flexor strains, hamstring tendinopathy, adductor strains and groin pain, athletic pubalgia (sports hernia), snapping hip syndrome, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, hip instability, athletic hip injuries, and post-surgical hip rehabilitation.
Our evidence-based approach focuses on identifying the source of symptoms, restoring mobility, improving strength, optimizing movement patterns, and helping patients return to the activities they enjoy.
Whether you are experiencing hip pain during daily activities, struggling with sports-related injuries, including athletic pubalgia, or recovering from surgery, our team has the expertise to guide your recovery and help you move with confidence.
Conditions We Treat
Hip Osteoarthritis
Hip arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and difficulty with walking, stairs, and daily activities. Physical therapy can help improve strength, maintain mobility, reduce symptoms, and delay functional decline.
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Hip impingement occurs when abnormal contact develops between the ball and socket of the hip joint. Symptoms often include groin pain, pinching sensations, stiffness, and discomfort with sitting, squatting, or athletic activities.
Hip Labral Tears
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that helps stabilize the hip joint. Labral injuries may contribute to pain, clicking, catching, instability, and reduced function. Physical therapy can improve movement mechanics and support both non-operative and post-operative recovery.
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Hip Bursitis)
Often referred to as hip bursitis, this condition commonly causes pain on the outside of the hip, particularly with walking, stairs, lying on the affected side, and prolonged activity.
Gluteal Tendinopathy
The gluteal muscles play a critical role in pelvic stability and lower-extremity function. Tendon injuries can contribute to lateral hip pain, weakness, and movement dysfunction.
Hip Flexor Strains
Hip flexor injuries commonly occur during sports and recreational activities. Rehabilitation focuses on restoring flexibility, strength, power, and return-to-sport readiness.
Hamstring Tendinopathy
Proximal hamstring injuries can cause pain near the sitting bone, discomfort during running, and difficulty with prolonged sitting. Treatment focuses on progressive loading and restoring function.
Adductor Strains and Groin Pain
Groin injuries are common in athletes participating in cutting, pivoting, and change-of-direction sports. Physical therapy helps restore strength, mobility, and athletic performance.
Snapping Hip Syndrome
Some individuals experience a snapping or popping sensation around the hip during movement. While often harmless, symptoms can occasionally become painful and interfere with activity.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
Because the pelvis, hip, and spine function as an integrated system, dysfunction within the sacroiliac joint can contribute to hip and pelvic pain. Comprehensive evaluation helps determine the true source of symptoms.
Hip Instability
Muscular weakness, ligamentous laxity, injury, or altered movement patterns can contribute to feelings of instability or lack of control around the hip joint. Treatment focuses on improving stability and movement confidence.
Athletic Hip Injuries
We frequently treat runners, golfers, skiers, cyclists, tennis players, pickleball players, and other active individuals experiencing hip-related injuries or movement limitations.
Piriformis Syndrome and Deep Gluteal Syndrome
Pain in the buttock that radiates into the hip or down the leg is not always caused by a spinal condition. In some cases, irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve can occur within the deep gluteal region, resulting in symptoms commonly referred to as piriformis syndrome or deep gluteal syndrome.
Patients may experience buttock pain, tingling, numbness, sitting intolerance, discomfort during walking or running, and symptoms that mimic sciatica. Because several conditions can produce similar symptoms, an accurate evaluation is essential to determine the true source of pain.
Post-Surgical Hip Rehabilitation
We provide rehabilitation following:
- Other orthopedic hip procedures
- Total Hip Replacement
- Hip Arthroscopy
- Labral Repair
- Femoroacetabular Impingement Surgery
- Gluteal Tendon Repair
- Fracture Rehabilitation
Why Choose Forza for Hip Rehabilitation?
Hip pain is often more complex than it initially appears. Symptoms may originate from the hip joint itself, surrounding muscles and tendons, the pelvis, the lumbar spine, or even joints and structures below the hip. Because of the concept of regional interdependence, dysfunction in one area of the body can contribute to pain and movement limitations in another. Successful treatment requires identifying the true source of dysfunction rather than simply treating the location of pain.
At Forza Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, we perform comprehensive movement assessments to evaluate mobility, strength, stability, balance, gait, and functional movement patterns. Our evaluation includes the hip, pelvis, lumbar spine, and lower-extremity joints to identify contributing factors that may be influencing symptoms. By examining how these regions work together, we can develop individualized treatment plans designed to restore efficient movement, reduce pain, improve performance, and help patients return to the activities that matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hip Physical Therapy
When should I see a physical therapist for hip pain?
If hip pain is limiting your ability to walk, exercise, climb stairs, sleep comfortably, participate in sports, or enjoy daily activities, physical therapy may help identify the cause of symptoms and restore function.
Can physical therapy help hip arthritis?
Yes. Physical therapy is one of the most effective conservative treatments for hip osteoarthritis. Treatment focuses on maintaining mobility, improving strength, reducing pain, and helping patients remain active.
What does hip impingement feel like?
Many patients describe hip impingement as a pinching sensation deep in the groin or front of the hip, especially during sitting, squatting, running, or athletic activities.
Can physical therapy help a hip labral tear?
Many individuals with labral tears benefit from physical therapy. Treatment focuses on improving hip mobility, muscular control, strength, and movement mechanics while reducing stress on the joint.
Can physical therapy help me avoid hip surgery?
In many cases, yes. While some hip conditions may ultimately require surgical intervention, physical therapy can often reduce symptoms, improve function, and help patients delay or avoid surgery altogether.
What if my hip pain is actually coming from my back?
This is more common than many people realize. Hip pain and low back pain frequently overlap. A comprehensive evaluation helps determine whether symptoms are originating from the hip joint, surrounding tissues, or the lumbar spine, ensuring the most appropriate treatment approach.
Serving Augusta and Kennebec County
Forza Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine proudly provides hip rehabilitation services to patients throughout Augusta, Hallowell, Gardiner, Winthrop, Manchester, Farmingdale, and surrounding communities across Kennebec County.
