Question

A hockey player reports to the athletic trainer complaining of right hip pain. The athlete indicates that the pain began approximately three weeks ago and is progressively increasing. The athlete has no prior history of hip injuries. The athletic trainer completes an initial evaluation of this athlete. Initial observations:

• No atrophy or ecchymosis present
• Right iliac crest and ASIS appear inferior
• Pronated feet / pes planus
• Genu varum
• Apparent weight shift to the left side
Based on the signs and symptoms identified during the evaluation, which of the following conditions should the athletic trainer suspect? Choose all that apply.
a. Abduction muscle strain
b. Adductor muscle strain
c. Femoral neck stress fracture
d. Hip flexor strain
e. Lumbar disk herniation
f. Trochanteric bursitis

Answer 1

The athletic trainer should suspect trochanteric bursitis, femoral neck stress fracture, and adductor muscle strain as possible causes for the hockey player's hip pain based on the given symptoms and observations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the signs and symptoms of the hockey player's right hip pain, the athletic trainer should suspect the following conditions:

• Trochanteric bursitis: Considering the pronounced weight shift to the left side and pronated feet, it's possible that the bursa overlying the greater trochanter of the femur is inflamed, causing the pain.
• Femoral neck stress fracture: The gradual onset of pain and absence of direct trauma could suggest a stress fracture, especially in an athlete with an increase in activity or intensity.
• Adductor muscle strain: Based on the inferior positioning of the right iliac crest and ASIS, it is possible that there is an imbalance or strain affecting the adductor muscles, which attach to the pubis and femur.

With no atrophy or ecchymosis present, and considering the postural observations, it would be less likely for the pain to be due to an abduction muscle strain, hip flexor strain, or lumbar disk herniation; though further testing would be required to rule out these conditions definitively.