IADMS New York 2002   [back to the Category]

Undiagnosed Hip Joint Labrum Tear in a Dancer: A Case Study   [read the french version]

Author :   R. Brick Campbell, MD

Undiagnosed Hip Joint Labrum Tear in a Dancer: A Case Study

R. Brick Campbell, MD; Norfolk PT Center
Paula D Cole, MPT; Tidewater Association of Dance Medicine
Gail C. Grisetti, PT, EdD, Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA, USA


Hip pain affects a dancer’s ability to perform. Understanding causes of hip pain provides for accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose
To discuss diagnosis and treatment of a young dancer with hip pain.

Subject
A 17-year old female ballet dancer with a year long history of right hip pain who was unable to dance for 6 months. Before injury she was a principle ballet dancer with a weekly class schedule of 10 hours ballet, 2 hours pointe and 2 hours modern dance.

Case
She underwent a year long series of diagnostic tests and physical therapy
Description without relief. Injury occurred landing a split leap jump with immediate right lateral hip pain on landing. Interventions prior to diagnosis and surgery: Physicians (1) a general practitioner, (2) three orthopaedists, (3) a physiatrist, (4) a pediatrician who performed a GYN exam (5) a neuro surgeon.

Diagnoses included: (1) hip sprain, (2) greater trochanteric bursitis, (3) overuse, (4) lateral snapping hip syndrome, (5) ligamentous hypermobility, (6) myalgia with myofascial pain (7) right hip labrum tear.

Diagnostic tests included: (1) x-rays in supine and standing, (2) hip MRI, CAT scan, (3) bone scan of pelvic region, (4) x-rays of right hip, (5) lumbar spine MRI , (6) right hip arthrogram with gadolinium, MRI .

Treatment interventions included: (1)medications for pain and inflammation, (2) marcaine and celestone injections, (3) trigger point injections, (4) physical therapy including ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat, ice, therapeutic exercise, massage, iontophoresis, manual therapy, phonophoresis (5) dance specific training.

Resolution
The dancer underwent hip surgery in November 2001. She began physical therapy late December and continues rehabilitation. The presentation will discuss her medical history, an overview of her surgery and her level of recovery.