QuestionI had THR of both hips in Sept and Nov 2007. Saw my surgeon today for 1 year checkup and everything is A-OK..except...I experience some pain in the groin area when raising my leg such as going up stairs. Dr. thinks it may be the iliofemoral (?) band that is irritated. would massage offer any relief??
AnswerHi Frank
The simplest answer is Yes, massage and stretching would offer relief.
Now if you have time you can read the additional information.
The iliofemoral ligament is a ligament of the hip joint which extends from the ilium (hip) to the femur (upper leg) in front of the joint. It is also referred to as the Y-ligament or the ligament of Bigelow, and any combinations of these names. Could this be what your Dr. was suggesting? Maybe, although it is the toughest ligament in the body.
My answer...unlikely.
The iliotibial band is a muscle that runs along the outside of the upper leg involved in walking, standing and side to side stability. This could be the one that may need stretching and massage.
The iliopsoas muscle group is another one involved in walking and also lower back support.
All of these "ilios" were involved to varying degrees in your THR surgery.
Without testing your range of motion and palpating the area it's hard to say which one. In fact THR surgerys vary in their incisions and how they access the hip. As a result the muscles that were cut and pulled apart to access your hips also will vary.
In the event you are bored and like academics...
There are 4 common techniques used in THR
* The posterior (Moore) approach accesses the joint through the back, taking piriformis muscle and the short external rotators off the femur. This approach gives excellent access to the acetabulum and preserves the hip abductors. Critics cite a higher dislocation rate although repair of capsule and SERs negates this risk.
* The lateral approach is also commonly used for hip replacement. The approach requires elevation of the hip abductors (gluteus medius and gluteus minimus) in order to access the joint. The abductors may be lifted up by osteotomy of the greater trochanter and reapplying it afterwards using cables (as per Charnley),or may be divided at their tendinous portion, or through the functional tendon (as per Hardinge) and repaired using sutures.
* The anterolateral approach develops the interval between the tensor fasciae latae and the gluteus medius.
* The anterior approach utilizes an interval between the sartorius and tensor fascia latae.
Wow! If you made it this far that's amazing!
Long story short is the answer I gave you in the beginning of this somewhat technical answer.
Yes Frank massage will help. Also telling the massage therapist which entry TYPE of THR you received will help focus on the muscle groups effected.
I apologize for the length, but sounds like your 99.99% there. With a little massage and stretching you will relieve that final discomfort.
To your healing
John Nickolas Barakitis
