Here we are performing hip mobilizations in sidelying on a pregnant patient who has a prior history of hip dysfunction. Because of an old trauma she has a history of hip impingement. Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) is also known as Hip Impingement. This painful condition occurs when there is abnormal contact between the femoral head and acetabulum during motion. With hip impingement, patients usually present with groin pain and a reduction in hip range of motion. Even if the disorder is asymptomatic prior to pregnancy or during the 1st trimester, the patient can become symptomatic during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. This is due to an increase in weight or load, effects of relaxin hormone on the ligaments, changes in pelvic stability, postural and biomechanics adaptations, gait changes, and muscle imbalances. In patients with hip impingement there is a loss of hip abduction which is needed to help open the pelvis during labor and delivery. Hip abduction is movement of the leg outwards or away from midline. Decreased range of motion of hip abduction has been suggested to predict the occurrence of future lower extremity injuries. Therefore, it is important to minimize the deleterious effects of limited hip abduction in the prenatal population for during pregnancy and to be able to care for the newborn during the postpartum phase. Our therapists are experts in treating pelvic and hip disorders in the prenatal and general orthopedic populations.
