HIP AND PELVIC STABILITY AND GAIT RETRAINING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ATHLETIC PUBALGIA AND HIP LABRAL PATHOLOGY IN A FEMALE RUNNER: A CASE REPORT.

BACKGROUND

Athletic pubalgia is a prevalent injury in athletes who kick, pivot, and cut, however it is poorly described in the literature. Many athletes with this diagnosis fail conservative management secondary to continued pain with activity and require surgical intervention for return to sport.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this case report is to describe an intervention strategy focusing on gait retraining and hip and lumbopelvic stability for a female runner diagnosed with athletic pubalgia and a labral tear of the hip.

CASE DESCRIPTION

This case report involved a 45-year-old female runner who was seen for 14 visits, from examination to return to sport, with a follow up at 12 months post discharge. Interventions included hip, pelvic, and lumbar stability exercises, and gait retraining. Outcomes measurements included: pain on the numeric pain rating scale, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), gait mechanics, strength, and participation in sport.

OUTCOMES

At discharge the subject demonstrated improved strength of all muscle groups and changes in lower extremity running biomechanics. Changes in running mechanics included increased cadence, decreased pelvic drop, diminished over striding, and improved knee control with less valgus movement during the stance phase of gait. The subject reported no pain with running or recreational activities at discharge and follow up at 12 months post discharge.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Most of the literature on conservative rehabilitation for athletic pubalgia focuses on athletes whose sports require pivoting and kicking. The literature provides little information on gait analysis and retraining for runners with a diagnosis of athletic pubalgia and/or hip labrum tears. The program used in this case report including gait retraining and hip, pelvic, and lumbar stability training allowed for full return to running in a 45-year-old female with a diagnosis of hip labrum tear and athletic pubalgia. Further research is needed to discern best conservative treatment for runners with athletic pubalgia and/or hip labral tears.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE