Living with hip pain takes a toll on you, both physically and mentally. People of all ages are likely to suffer from hip pain. It can occur for various reasons.
Consulting a hip pain specialist in NJ can help you understand the underlying causes of hip pain and how you can treat them. Read on to find out the five causes of hip pain and the treatment options available.
Table of Contents
1. Arthritis
Arthritis is a type of inflammation that occurs in the joints. It can cause stiffness, pain, reduced mobility, and swelling. There are various types of arthritis that can affect the hips, such as
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Psoriatic arthritis
The common causes of arthritis include wear and tear, aging, infection, genetics, or immune system dysfunction.
Treatment of arthritis may include
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Pain relievers
- Corticosteroid injections
- Disease-modifying drugs
- Joint replacement surgery (for advanced cases)
- Weight management
- Physical therapy
2. Bursitis
Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae, which are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip bones and decrease friction. It mainly affects the hips and joints. Bursitis can be caused by infection, injury, overuse, or arthritis. The symptoms of bursitis include:
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Decreased motion
- Loss of stiffness in the hip
Treatment options for bursitis include
- Ice
- Rest
- Physical therapy
- Corticosteroid injections
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Surgery (for severe cases)
3. Hip Labral tear
A labral tear is a damage or tear to the labrum that leads to hip pain. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that covers the socket of the hip joint and helps cushion and stabilize the joint. Degeneration, structural abnormalities, overuse, or trauma are the main causes of a labral tear.
The symptoms of a labral tear may include pain in the buttocks or groin, a locking or clicking sensation in the hip joint, instability, and a decreased level of motion in the hip joint.
Treatment options for hip labral tears generally include
- Ice
- Rest
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Arthroscopic surgery to remove or repair the damaged tissue
4. Tendinitis (Tendon or muscle strain)
Tendinitis is a common cause of irritation or inflammation of the tendons. Tendons are the fibrous tissues that connect the muscles to the bones. Tendinitis can impact any tendon, but it usually affects the hips. It can be caused by stress from overuse, aging, or injury. The symptoms of tendinitis include swelling, pain, and difficulty moving the hip.
Treatment of tendinitis includes
- Elevation
- Ice
- Rest
- Compression
- Corticosteroid injections
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Surgery (for severe cases)
5. Hip Fractures
A hip fracture is a crack or break in a bone that may cause severe pain in the hip. A fracture is often caused by trauma, such as a car accident or a fall. In some cases, hip fractures can happen due to osteoporosis, a condition that weakens the bones. The bones of a person suffering from osteoporosis are so weak that even minor falls or stresses can cause fractures. Osteoporosis can occur in a person’s wrist and spine as well.
A person who has hip fractures may experience symptoms like
- Swelling
- Pain
- Deformity
- Bruising
- Inability to cope with sitting on the affected hip
Treatment of a hip fracture includes
- Surgery to fix the broken hip bones with screws, plates, pins, or rods
- Immobilization with a splint
- Physical therapy
- Pain medication to restore mobility and strength
Conclusion
To summarize, hip pain can have multiple causes. Treatment for hip pain depends on the root cause and severity of the symptoms.
If you experience severe or persistent hip pain that affects your everyday life, you should consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
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