Hip Pain: Causes and Treatment

Hip pain is a very common complaint by people of all ages. It can have a wide variety of causes. Some people develop a pain in their hip because of a disease, inflammation, trauma or an injury. Sometimes the pain can gradually develop and become more intense over a period of time or it can happen suddenly. It is important for people that have a pain in their hip to see a medical professional. They can identify the cause of the pain and create a treatment plan that will ease the pain and eliminate the problem that caused it.

The hip is the body’s largest ball-and-socket joint. The way it fits together allows for fluid motion. The joint is designed to withstand a lifetime of repeated motion as well as a lot of wear and tear. It is cushioned by cartilage which helps to prevent the friction caused by the hip bone moving around in its socket. But regardless of how durable it is, the hip joint can become injured or damaged due to age and use. The muscles, tendons and cartilage in the hip can wear down or they can be damaged or broken by a fall or some other type of accident. Any of these can lead to a pain in the hip.

Many people ignore the pain in their hips until it becomes unbearable. But this isn’t a wise move. People should seek medical help immediately if the pain in the hip comes on suddenly, is triggered by a fall or some other type of accident, the joint is bleeding or looks deformed, there’s intense pain, they are unable to put weight on or move the hip joint or if the joint made a popping noise when it was injured. These could all be signs of a very serious problem with the hip joint. Often soreness or discomfort in the hip can also be a sign of a developing problem.

Causes Of Pain In the Hip

When the muscles or tendons in the hip are overused, moving the hip can become painful. Fractures or dislocations caused by a fall or some other type of accident can also cause the joint to hurt. Tendon or muscle strains, tendonitis and osteoarthritis can also cause pain in the hip joint. In some cases a deformity in some part of the hip joint can also cause intermittent or constant pain. Conditions like sciatica, Bursitis and sprains can also cause hip discomfort. However, trauma like a shock or a sharp, sudden jolt to the area can impair bone alignment or the structure of the bone and cause pain.

Symptoms of Hip Problems

Depending on the cause of a person’s hip problem, they can feel the pain or discomfort in different areas. Some people with problems with their hip joint may experience pain in their thighs, groin, buttocks or back. Often the pain may grow worse with activity and result in reduced range of motion or the development of a limp. Inflamed nerves, muscle spasms and incorrect posture can all be symptoms of problems with the hip.

Treatment For Pain In The Hip

The treatment for a pain in the hip can vary widely depending on its cause. Some people can find relief through the use of over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Motrin and Aleve. If the pain is caused by Rheumatoid arthritis, patients can use prescription anti-inflammatory drugs like disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs including sulfasalazine and methotrexate or corticosteroids to treat it. Another very effective way to treat pain in the hip is to hold ice on the painful area for around 15 minutes several times during the day. Resting the hip joint for as long as possible can also help to relieve the pain and make the person feel better.

People suffering from arthritis in the hip joint can also find relief by using low-impact exercises, resistance training and stretching to reduce the pain and help to improve the mobility in the joint. In many cases swimming and other types of non-impact exercises can work wonders for people suffering with arthritis. Many medical professionals also recommend physical therapy to help patients increase the range of motion in the hip joint.

If the pain in the hip is caused by osteoarthritis and it is severe or it leads to deformation in the hip joint, the doctors may suggest a total hip replacement. People whose pain is caused by a fracture may need surgery to fix it or they may be forced to replace the hip.

People with hip pain that gets worse at night or while they’re resting or doesn’t go away or who notice redness, warmth or swelling around the joint should contact a Michigan health care provider. Pain clinics like ours, can help prevent minor problems from becoming major ones.