A common complaint among people of all ages and lifestyles is hip pain. There are a variety of causes for hip pain, ranging from injuries and overuse to arthritis and infections. In addition to fractures, tumors, and nerve damage, hip pain can also indicate more serious conditions. If you experience persistent or severe hip pain, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms like fever, swelling, or difficulty walking, seek medical attention immediately.
In the body, the hip joint is one of the largest and most complex joints. It consists of the femur (thigh bone), the acetabulum (socket in the pelvis), and the surrounding muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bursae (fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint). It is possible for any of these structures to become damaged or inflamed, resulting in hip pain.
This degenerative condition results in bone-on-bone friction and inflammation when the cartilage in a joint wears away. An osteoarthritis can cause stiffness, reduced range of motion, and pain in the buttock, groin, or thigh in older adults.
This is an autoimmune disorder that results in inflammation, swelling, and pain in the joints due to the immune system attacking the synovial membrane. Women and young adults are more likely to experience hip pain with rheumatoid arthritis than men.
A bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa that can occur due to overuse, injury, infection, or underlying conditions, such as gout or diabetes. Bursitis can cause pain in the outer side of the hip, especially when lying on the affected side, walking, or climbing stairs.
It is an inflammation of the fibrous cords that connect the muscles to the bones known as tendinitis. A tendon in the hip can become damaged by overuse, injury, or aging and can affect any of the hip's tendons, including the iliopsoas, gluteus medius, and hamstrings. The affected tendon can cause pain on either the front, back, or side of the hip.
A strain or sprain is an injury to the muscles or ligaments that support the hip joint. These injuries can cause pain, swelling, bruising, and restricted mobility.
As a result of trauma, such as a car accident, a fall, or a sports injury, these bones that make up the hip joint can break. Osteoporosis can also cause fractures, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more prone to breaking. Fractures can cause severe pain, deformity, and inability to bear weight on the affected leg.
It occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites invade the hip joint or surrounding tissues, such as the bone, the muscle, or the skin, and cause infection. Infections can occur due to injuries, surgeries, injections, or systemic illnesses, such as tuberculosis or HIV. They can result in fever, chills, redness, warmth, and hip pain.
Malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous) tumors are abnormal growths of cells. Hip tumors can originate in the hip joint or the surrounding tissues, or they can spread from other parts of the body, such as the lungs, the breast, or the prostate. Pain, swelling, weight loss, and fatigue are all possible signs of hip tumors.
The symptoms of hip pain can vary depending on the cause, the severity, and the location of the pain. Some of the common symptoms of hip pain include:
Pain in the groin, buttock, thigh, or knee
Difficulty moving the hip or the leg
Reduced range of motion or stiffness in the hip joint
Limping or difficulty walking
Swelling, warmth, or redness in the hip area
Fever, chills, or night sweats
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg
To diagnose the cause of hip pain, a doctor will perform a physical examination and ask about the history and the nature of the pain, such as when it started, how it feels, what makes it worse or better, and how it affects the daily activities. The doctor may also order some tests, such as:
X-rays: These are images that show the bones and the joints in the hip area. X-rays can reveal fractures, arthritis, or tumors in the hip.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An imaging technique that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of soft tissues around the hip, including muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bursae. Inflammation, infection, and injury to the hip can be detected with MRI.
Computed tomography (CT) scan: This is a scan that uses X-rays and a computer to create cross-sectional images of the hip area. CT scan can reveal fractures, tumors, or foreign bodies in the hip.
Ultrasound: This is a test that uses sound waves to create images of the hip area. Ultrasound can reveal fluid, inflammation, or blood clots in the hip.
A blood test measures the levels of certain substances in the blood, such as white blood cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and rheumatoid factor (RF). Hip infections, inflammations, and autoimmune disorders can be revealed in blood tests.
Joint aspiration: This is a procedure that involves inserting a needle into the hip joint and withdrawing some fluid for analysis. Joint aspiration can reveal infection, inflammation, or crystals in the hip.
The treatment of hip pain depends on the cause, the severity, and the symptoms of the pain. Some of the common treatments of hip pain include:
Medications: These are medicines that can help reduce hip pain, inflammation, or infection. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as naproxen and ibuprofen, acetaminophen, corticosteroids like prednisone and methylprednisolone, antibiotics like penicillin or cephalexin, and analgesics like tramadol and codeine are some of the medications used to treat hip pain.
During physical therapy, muscles surrounding the hip joint can be strengthened, stretched, and mobilized. Besides relieving pain, swelling, and stiffness, physical therapy can also reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness. Stretching, strengthening, massage, heat, ice, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation are some of the most common methods of treating hip pain through physical therapy.
These procedures involve injecting a substance, such as a corticosteroid, a local anesthetic, or a hyaluronic acid into the hip joint or surrounding tissues to reduce pain, inflammation, and friction.
An orthopedic surgery restores the function, stability, and alignment of the hip by repairing or replacing damaged or diseased structures in the hip joint or surrounding tissues. Surgery can help restore function, stability, and alignment. Surgical procedures used to treat hip pain include arthroscopy, osteotomy, synovectomy, debridement, and arthroplasty.
The prevention of hip pain depends on the cause, the risk factors, and the lifestyle of the person. Some of the common preventive measures for hip pain include:
Maintaining a healthy weight: This can help reduce the pressure and the wear and tear on the hip joint and the surrounding tissues.
You can maintain a strong, flexible, and mobile hip joint by exercising regularly. Several exercises are recommended for hip pain, including walking, swimming, cycling, or low-impact aerobics. They can also help prevent injuries, overuse, or stiffness in the hip.
Warming up and cooling down: This can help the hip joint and surrounding muscles prepare for the activity and prevent sudden movements, strains, or sprains in the hip. Stretching, jogging, or skipping are among the recommended warm-up and cool-down exercises for hip pain.
Using proper equipment and techniques: It can prevent hip trauma, injury, or overuse. Wearing comfortable shoes, using a cane or a walker if necessary, avoiding high heels or tight pants, lifting with the legs instead of the back, or avoiding repetitive or excessive hip motions are among the recommended equipment and techniques for hip pain.
In addition to diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of hip pain, seeking medical attention can prevent complications, such as chronic pain, disability, or infection. A persistent or severe hip pain, fever, swelling, deformity, or difficulty walking can indicate that medical attention is needed.
