Hip and pelvis injuries in runners: careful evaluation and tailored management

Abstract

Injuries to the hip and pelvis make up a small but significant proportion of painful conditions in runners. Most of these injuries are due to overuse and some, such as femoral neck stress fracture, may involve significant morbidity. Apophyseal injuries are becoming more prevalent and should be considered in the skeletally immature athlete. Stress fractures and soft-tissue injuries occur in all age-groups, often because of excessive mechanical stress without adequate recovery periods. A systematic approach to evaluation and treatment-combined with knowledge of indications for surgical referral, training principles, and shoe-wear patterns-allows the physician to individualize the athlete's rehabilitation and return to running, and to help the athlete prevent re-injury.