Medicine and Health
The hip joint can withstand repeatedmotion and a fair amountof wear and tear. This ball-and-socket joint -- the body's largest-- fits together in a way that allowsfor fluid movement.
Causes of Hip Pain
Theseare some of the conditions that commonly cause hip pain:
Arthritis.Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are among the most common causes of hip pain, especially in older adults.Arthritis leads to inflammation of the hip joint and the breakdown of the cartilage that cushions your hip bones. The pain gradually gets worse. People with arthritisalso feel stiffnessand have reducedrange of motion in the hip. Learn more about hiposteoarthritis.
Hip fractures. With age, the bones can become weak and brittle. Weakenedbones are more likely to break during a fall.
Bursitis. Bursae are sacs of liquid foundbetween tissues such as bone,muscles, and tendons.They ease the friction from these tissuesrubbing together. When bursae get inflamed, they can cause pain. Inflammation of bursae is usually due to repetitive activities that overwork or irritatethe hip joint.
Tendinitis. Tendons are the thick bands of tissue that attach bones to muscles.Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of the tendons.It's usually caused by repetitive stress from overuse.
Muscleor tendon strain.Repeated activities can put strain on the muscles, tendons,and ligaments that support the hips. When they becomeinflamed due to overuse, they can cause pain and prevent the hip from working normally.
Hip labral tear. This is a rip in the ring of cartilage (calledthe labrum) that follows the outside rim of the socket of your hip joint. Along with cushioning your hip joint, your labrum acts like a rubber seal or gasket to help hold the ball at the top of your thighbone securely within your hip socket. Athletesand people who perform repetitive twisting movements are at higherrisk of developing this problem.
Cancers. Tumors that start in the bone or that spread to the bone can cause pain in the hips, as well as in other bones of the body.
Avascular necrosis (also called osteonecrosis). This condition happens when blood flow to the hip bone slows and the bone tissue dies. Although it can affectother bones, avascularnecrosis most often happens in the hip. It can be causedby a hipfracture or dislocation, or from the long-term useof high-dose steroids (such as prednisone),among other causes.
Symptoms of Hip Pain
Depending on the condition that'scausing your hip pain, you might feel the discomfort in your:
- Thigh
- Inside of the hip
- joint Groin
- Outside of the hip joint
medication such as acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Rheumatoid arthritis treatments also include prescription anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids, disease-modifying anti- rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate and sulfasalazine, and biologics, whichtarget the immunesystem.
Another way to relieve hip pain is by holdingice to the area for about 15 minutes a few times a day. Try to rest the affected joint as much as possibleuntil you feel better. You may also try heatingthe area. A warm bath or shower can help ready your muscle for stretching exercises that can lessenpain.
If you have arthritis, exercising the hip joint with low-impact exercises, stretching, and resistance trainingcan reduce pain and improvejoint mobility. For example, swimming is a good non-impact exercisefor arthritis. Physicaltherapy can also help increaseyour range of motion.
When osteoarthritis becomes so severe that the pain is intense or the hip joint becomesdeformed, a total hip replacement (arthroplasty) may be a consideration. People who fracturetheir hip sometimesneed surgery to fix the fracture or replace the hip.
The hip pain came on suddenly.
A fall or other injury triggeredthe hip pain.Your joint looks deformed or is bleeding.
You heard a poppingnoise in the joint when you injuredit.
The pain is intense.
You can't put any weight on your hip. You can'tmove your leg or hip.
RICE method for hip pain
You can usually treat hip pain at home with the RICE method:
- Rest:Stop the physical activity that caused the pain to avoid making the injury worse.
- Ice:Apply an ice pack or cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes every hour for the first day after your injury. After one day, you can apply ice every three to four hours. Don’t apply ice directly to your skin (wrap the ice pack in a towel or washcloth).
- Compression:Compression helps reduce blood flow to your injured hip and reduces swelling. Apply a compression bandage or wrap around your hip. You can also wear compression shorts or pants to help keep pressure on your hip.
- Elevation:If possible, lift your hips and lower body above the level of your heart. Support your leg with pillows, blankets or cushions.
Medications for hip pain
Our orthopedic team might suggest medications to relieve the hip pain and any other symptoms you’re experiencing.
Most people can take over-the-counter NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen) or acetaminophen .Don't take these medications for more than 10 days in a row without talking to your provider.
Physical therapy for hip pain
Your provider might suggest physical therapy if you have arthritis or a structural issue that’s causing pain. A physical therapist will show you stretches and exercises that strengthen the muscles around your affected hip. This should improve your stability and can relieve pain.
Hip surgery
Most people with hip pain won’t need surgery. But your provider may suggest it if the pain is severe and other treatments haven’t helped. You might need surgery to repair a hip fracture or structural issue.
Hip arthroscopy is the most common type of surgery to treat most causes of hip pain. Your surgeon will make a few small incisions (cuts) in the skin of your hip, and then insert a special tool called an arthroscope into your hip joint. The arthroscope includes a camera and a light that lets your surgeon identify and repair damage inside of your hip.
You might need a hip replacement (hip arthroplasty). our surgeon will replace your hip with an artificial implant (a prosthesis). Your provider might recommend a hip replacement if pain and other symptoms in your hip affect your ability to stand, walk and move.
our surgeon will tell you what to expect and how long it will take to recover.