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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Discuss common injuries that occur to the thigh, hip, and pelvis.
Demonstrate the ability to apply tapes, wraps, braces, and pads to the thigh, hip, and pelvis when preventing, treating, and rehabilitating injuries.
Explain and demonstrate appropriate taping, wrapping, bracing, and padding techniques for the thigh, hip, and pelvis within a therapeutic exercise program.
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INJURIES AND CONDITIONS
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Acute and chronic injuries can occur to the thigh, hip, and pelvis in athletic and work activities. Thigh and hip contusions are common in athletic activities but vary in severity. Many athletes are able to return to activity following a mild contusion with additional padding, while a severe contusion may require hospitalization. Strains of the thigh and hip musculature can occur in athletic and work activities and are typically caused by rapid movements. Repetitive stress to the thigh, hip, and pelvis can result in chronic inflammation and/or stress fractures. Common injuries to the thigh, hip, and pelvis include:
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Contusions to the thigh, hip, and pelvis are caused by direct forces. These areas are susceptible to injury in many sports that do not require protective padding. Thigh contusions (charleyhorse) typically involve the anterior and/or lateral aspect (Illustration 7–1). A contusion can result, for instance, when a soccer sweeper is struck in the anterior right thigh by an opponent's knee while attempting to stop a breakaway. Myositis ossificans may result from a single, violent direct force or repeated direct forces to the anterior or lateral thigh.1,7,8,16 Improper use of thermotherapy modalities, forceful manipulation, or a quick return to activity following a quadriceps contusion can also lead to the development of myositis ossificans.11,12 A direct force or fall on the hip can cause an iliac crest contusion (hip pointer) with associated injury to the abdominal soft tissue (Illustrations 7–2 and 12–2). These contusions are common in collision and contact sport activities.
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Strains to the thigh, hip, and pelvis are caused by a variety of mechanisms during athletic and work activities. A rapid stretch, contraction, or change in direction, eccentric overload, fatigue, and muscular weakness and imbalance can result in a quadriceps, hamstrings, adductor, gluteal, and iliopsoas strain (see Illustrations 7–1, 7–2, 7–3). Abnormal posture and leg-length discrepancy may contribute to a hamstring strain. Strains occur more frequently to the hamstrings; these injuries often have a chronic history.5,6 For example, a quadriceps strain can occur as ...