Hip Pain – Definition, Causes, Prevention, Treatment
IMS can help with muscular injuries in the hip area and hip pain can refer from the lumbar region. The hip joint is designed to stand several consistent motions, including reasonable wear and tear. Being the largest ball and socket joint in the body, they fit in a way that makes it easier for fluids to move.
However, despite their ability to withstand wear and tear, they can be subjected to pain. A wide range of problems can cause the hip to hurt. The actual point of pain in the waist can help provide valuable clues about the cause. Identifying the cause will help your physiotherapist to make better treatment choices.
A cartilage cushion works to prevent friction as the hip bone moves in the sockets whenever the hip is in action. These joints are durable and cannot be destroyed. However, as individual’s age and people use more of their hip bone, the cartilage will wear faster, damaging them. The level of use will determine how much damage the cartilage will face.
Causes
Certain known conditions are responsible for hip pain in people. They include;
Arthritis
Hip pain is common in adults with bone-related illnesses. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most responsible causes. Once the hip develops arthritis, it results in hip joint inflammation, breaking down the cartilage that helps to cushion the hip bones. The can grow intense slowly as time goes on. It is usually difficult for people with this condition to move as they also become stiff since there is a reduction in hip motion.
Fracture
The hip bone tends to lose strength by becoming brittle and weaker as people age. The chance of breaking a bone when people fall is high since the bones become weaker as they grow older.
Bursitis
Sacs of liquid are located between tissues such as bone, tendons, and muscles. These liquids are responsible for easing friction with the tissues. When there is bursae inflammation, it can result in pain. Bursae are usually inflamed due to repetitive tasks that upset the hip joint, usually due to overworking.
Other causes of hip pain include hip labral tear, cancers, avascular necrosis, muscle or tendon strain, and tendinitis.
Symptoms
A few symptoms may indicate you have hip pain. Depending on the condition responsible for the pain, you may feel discomfort in certain parts of the body. You may not be comfortable in certain body parts such as the groin, inside and outside of the hip joint, buttocks, and thigh. At times, back or groin pain extends to the hip. Pain can grow worse depending on the activities an individual engages in, especially if arthritis is responsible. With the pain, motion can be greatly reduced, causing some people to limp.
Getting Relief from Hip Pain
There are known effective ways of relief for hip pain, especially if tendonitis, muscle or tendon strain, and osteoarthritis are responsible. One of the best means to get rid of hip pain is over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen.
Moreover, ibuprofen or naproxen as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can greatly help to relieve hip pain. Icing the affected part for some minutes is another effective way of relieving hip pain. Physical therapy is another option that should be greatly explored to bring back mobility to the joints. A warm water bath can also help to improve motion range.
Seeing a Physiotherapist
The severity of osteoarthritis can be so intense that it can lead to deformity. When this happens, you will need hip replacement surgery. You will need to see a physiotherapist for exercise and preparations before and after the surgery. Before determining if you need surgery, contact a physiotherapist if you notice that
- Pain is sudden
- Pain is intense
- Difficulty in moving arms and legs
- Deformity or bleeding
- The hip is resistant to weights
- Popping noise during the injury
- Pain persists
References
* Contact Reach Physiotherapy for a list of references used for this blog content.
