If you’ve been diagnosed with a hip labral tear, it’s crucial to avoid certain exercises that could worsen the injury. Dr. Michael Sileo, an experienced orthopedic surgeon in Brentwood, NY, recommends being mindful of activities that place strain on the hip joint. To prevent further damage, it’s important to avoid the following exercises and movements.
High-Impact Activities
High-impact exercises can place unnecessary stress on the hip joint and aggravate a labral tear. Avoid activities such as:
- Running: The repetitive pounding of running can worsen the tear and lead to increased pain.
- Jumping exercises: Plyometric movements that involve jumping put significant strain on the hip joint.
- High-intensity sports: Sports like basketball, football, or tennis, which involve sudden changes in direction, can worsen symptoms.
Deep Hip Flexion Movements
Movements that involve deep bending at the hip joint should be avoided as they can irritate the labrum. Exercises to avoid include:
- Squats: Deep squats increase pressure on the hip joint and can further aggravate the tear.
- Lunges: Lunges, especially when performed deeply, can strain the hip labrum and cause discomfort.
- Leg Press: The leg press machine forces the hip into a position that can irritate the labrum.
Twisting and Rotational Movements
Rotational movements can cause friction within the hip joint, leading to increased pain and damage to the labrum. Avoid exercises like:
- Twisting lunges: The twisting motion combined with deep flexion is particularly harmful to the hip labrum.
- Yoga poses with hip rotation: Certain yoga poses, like pigeon pose or warrior pose, involve extreme hip rotation that can worsen the tear.
- Golf swings: The rotational movement of the hip in a golf swing can irritate the labrum and increase pain.
Core Exercises with Hip Flexion
Core exercises that involve hip flexion should be avoided. These exercises can place unnecessary strain on the hip joint:
- Bicycle crunches: The repetitive motion of the legs can strain the hip and exacerbate the injury.
- Leg raises: Lifting the legs while lying down can put direct pressure on the hip labrum.
Treatment With Our Orthopedic Surgeon in Brentwood NY
Avoiding the wrong exercises is essential for managing a hip labral tear. Dr. Michael Sileo, an orthopedic surgeon in Brentwood, NY, can help develop a safe, personalized treatment plan to support your recovery. By steering clear of high-impact, deep flexion, and rotational exercises, you can prevent further damage and promote healing.