Hip Pain and Injury
Hip pain is rarely an isolated issue: it is a functional crossroads where the spine meets the lower extremities. At Tennessee Sports Medicine Group, we analyze how your hip moves in relation to your core and knees to identify the true driver of your discomfort.
The hip is a deep ball-and-socket joint designed for stability and power. When the labrum, the cartilage ring that deepens the socket, becomes frayed, or the bursa becomes inflamed, every step can become a challenge. Our clinical objective in Knoxville is to offload the joint through manual therapy and specific corrective exercises that restore a pain-free range of motion.
Labral Tears and FAI Treatment
A diagnosis of a hip labral tear or Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI) does not mean your athletic career is over.
Clinical data indicates that many individuals have “silent” labral tears that do not cause pain. Symptoms often only arise when mechanical imbalances cause the femur to pinch the labrum against the socket. By strengthening the deep hip rotators and improving pelvic tilt, we can often eliminate the “pinching” sensation and allow the labrum to settle without surgery.
For active residents in Knoxville, FAI often manifests as sharp groin pain during squats or while getting out of a car. Ignoring this “mechanical block” can lead to premature joint wear. Honest recovery focuses on modifying your movement patterns to avoid the impingement zone while building the strength necessary to protect the joint.
At Tennessee Sports Medicine Group, we use specific manual distractions and mobilizations to create space within the joint. This immediate relief is then reinforced with a stability program designed to keep the femoral head centered in the socket during high-impact activities.
Managing Hip Bursitis and Tendonopathy
Lateral hip pain is frequently caused by tendon weakness rather than simple inflammation of the bursa.
While “bursitis” is a common diagnosis, current research shows that the underlying cause is often Gluteal Tendonopathy—a breakdown of the tendons that attach to the side of the hip. Treating this with rest or injections alone often fails because the tendon remains weak. A progressive loading program is the only evidence-based way to “rebuild” the tendon’s capacity to handle weight-bearing loads.
Many patients in Knoxville struggle with sleep because lying on their side triggers intense hip pain. This is a hallmark sign of compressive stress on the lateral hip structures. We provide honest, actionable advice on sleeping positions and activity modification to reduce this compression while we work on your functional strength.
Our clinicians at Tennessee Sports Medicine Group utilize MultiRadiance Laser and specific soft tissue techniques to manage acute pain. Once the “fire” of inflammation is down, we transition into heavy, slow-resistance training to ensure the pain does not return the next time you hike a local trail.
Hip Stability for the Knoxville Lifestyle
The “sitting epidemic” is a primary contributor to chronic hip tightness and lower back compensation.
Spending hours in a seated position causes the hip flexors to shorten and the gluteal muscles to “turn off,” a phenomenon known as reciprocal inhibition. This lack of posterior strength forces the hip joint to shift forward in the socket, leading to anterior hip pain. Clinical evidence proves that “stretching” these tight muscles is less effective than “strengthening” the opposing muscles to restore pelvic balance.
Whether you are navigating the stairs at Neyland Stadium or walking through your neighborhood in Knoxville, your hips require dynamic stability. We focus on single-leg balance and lateral movements that are often neglected in standard gym routines.
We treat the whole person, not just the joint. At Tennessee Sports Medicine Group, your evaluation includes a look at your footwear, your workstation ergonomics, and your gait mechanics to ensure we are addressing every factor contributing to your hip dysfunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk for exercise if I have hip bursitis? Yes, but the volume and terrain matter. We typically recommend avoiding steep inclines in Knoxville initially and focusing on flat surfaces to reduce the compressive load on the lateral hip tendons.
How do I know if my hip pain is coming from my back? Referred pain from the lumbar spine often mimics hip pain. Our therapists perform “clearing” tests on your lower back during your initial evaluation to ensure we are treating the correct source of your symptoms.
Is surgery necessary for a labral tear? Not always. Many patients at Tennessee Sports Medicine Group find significant relief and return to full activity through a 12-week specialized physical therapy program designed to stabilize the joint and improve pelvic mechanics.
