Why Lady Gaga Is Not So “HIP”.

By Marianne Ryan PT, OCS
Clinical Director MRPT Physical Therapy

So the hot news is that Lady Gaga canceled all of her tour dates due to a hip injury called a labral tear. She will need to have surgery before she can return to her non-stop dancing performances.

Rehab is not going to be a piece of cake. Lady Gaga will typically need to walk with crutches for several weeks followed by several months of intense physical therapy to recover and get back into shape.

What is a hip labral tear?

The labrum is soft elastic tissue or cartilage that surrounds the socket part of the hip joint. It forms the outside rim around the hard boney portion of the hip joint and allows flexibility and leg movement.

What caused Lady Gaga’s injury? Was it her crazy shoes?

Normally the labrum can take a lot of wear and tear but some people, especially women, are more prone to injuries. Damage can occur after repetitive movement that involves hip rotation and twisting, especially at the extreme end ranges of motion. Since she is know for her intense performances and flamboyant outfits I think there may have been more then one reason why she developed a tear in her hip. Wearing shoes with ridiculously high heels can decrease the base of support and cause a loss of balance and severe rotational strain on the hips. So, even though her show stoping dance performances were the likely cause of her injury, her choice in shoes definitely added fuel to the fire.

Will Lady Gaga be able to return to the stage and dance again?

Yes, if she follows through with an intense physical therapy program and stays away from repetitive dance moves that requires the upper part of her body to rotate on top of her hip joint.

What other activities will Lady Gaga need to stay away from in the future?

Any activity that puts repetitive rotational forces or extreme strain on the hip can cause a labral tear or further damage, for example excessive running, soccer, golf and even some yoga poses.

Believe it or not, Lady Gaga will have to be careful not to injure her hips if she ever delivers a baby. (No, this is not the start of a rumor that Lady Gaga is about to become a mother!)
Precautions should be taken during childbirth to prevent mothers from tearing their hip labrum during delivery.
Bet you didn’t know that.
During delivery if a women’s hips are forcibly positioned in extreme rotation she is at risk of tearing her labrum. Lying on your back and having your husband help the doctor by pulling your legs into an extreme frog leg position is not a good idea. Better birthing positions that put less strain on your hip joint include squatting, side-lying, standing, and on your hands and knees.

Good luck Lady Gaga! I am sure you will have a fabulous recovery if you make sure to listen and follow the instructions your physical therapist gives you. 

On The Radio…Women’s Health

By Marianne Ryan PT, OCS
Clinical Director MRPT Physical Therapy

Earlier this week both Lila Abbate and I were guests on Karen Litzy’s weekly radio show “Healthy, Wealthy and Smart” on the Talking Alternatives network.

We spent about 1 hour discussing our “niche specializations” within Women’s Health Physical Therapy.

You can listen to the interview here 
I discussed physical therapy treatment for Prenatal / Postpartum issues and Lila told us how she uses physical therapy to treat GI / Bowel dysfunctions.

We both had a blast and enjoyed spreading the word on how physical therapists are the “go-to” medical professionals for musculoskeletal problems.
A recording of the show is also available on the Talking Alternatives website and is also available as a Podcast on iTunes.
Click here to listen to the broadcast. Or click here to get the iTunes Podcast

New Moms Need Physical Therapy: Bet You Didn’t Know That!

Posted by Marianne Ryan PT, OCS
Clinical Director MRPT Physical Therapy

Here is an excellent article written by Ginger Garner and published in Modernmom.com:

“Pregnancy and childbirth…is exhausting and at the same time…it is transforming and beautiful…BUT when a mother does not get the physical and emotional support she needs, the effects can be devastating.

Physical Therapy after childbirth can make a women…stand strong, fit …and successfully complete her birthing experience so that she feels…wholly healed.

One of the many fields of specialization in physical therapy is women’s health.

I bet you didn’t know that.

That’s okay. Most doctors don’t either. Doctors are educated very little, if at all, about PT services in medical school.

Here are 4 reasons why new mom’s need physical therapy: 1. Managing Urinary and Fecal Continence, 2. Prevent Scar Tissue Adhesions & Pelvic Pain, 3. Manage Low Back Pain, 4. Wellness for Future Pregnancies and Daily Life

The sad fact is that “most new mothers will never get the Physical Therapy they desperately need after giving birth. ”  To read more of Ginger Garner’s article click here

Older Mom’s Should be Induced Early. True or False?

Posted by: Marianne Ryan PT, OCS
Clinical Director of MRPT Physical Therapy

“Pregnant women aged over 40 should be given the option of being induced early to reduce the risks of stillbirths, says a Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists paper.”

To read more click here.