Everything you need to know
Hip Pain
We provide a wide range of treatments for hip problems and injuries. If you’re like most, you probably pay little to no attention to your hip joints until something goes wrong. Hip pain is among the more common complaints that men and women bring to OSL. In addition to pain, symptoms that patients complain of include tightness, stiffness, limping, and hip joint popping or clicking. Hip pain can often be misdiagnosed and treated as a spine condition. Regardless of your age or the cause of your hip pain, the team at OSL can help you find lasting relief to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle.
Common hip pain conditions
The ball-and-socket joints in your hip are the largest joints in your entire body. These joints are incredibly strong and durable, but that doesn’t mean they are immune to damage. Over time, the bones, muscles, cartilage, nerves, and tendons in your hip can deteriorate or weaken, leaving you at an increased risk of hip pain.
Arthritis is the the most common cause of hip pain in patients over 50. X-rays and a physical examination are often sufficient to make an arthritis diagnosis. Arthritis has different causes, including osteoarthritis, which is by far the most common, and other rheumatological diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Labral tears are the most common causes of hip pain in younger patients without arthritis. In the early stage, labral tears are associated with damage to the articular cartilage next to the tear. Later as the disease progresses, this injury may progress to diffuse arthritic changes over time. Minor hip injuries can occur while playing sports, including tendon strains, with the most common locations being hamstrings, quadriceps, and abductor muscles.
Snapping hip syndrome is commonly caused by either external (Iliotibial band, ITB) or internal (Iliopsoas) malfunction. When the ITB is the origin, the tendon snaps over the greater trochanter of the femur. However, an Iliopsoas malfunction involves the tendon snapping over a bony prominence of the pelvis. Dancers, soccer players, gymnasts and runners are at a higher risk for snapping hip syndrome due to overuse.
When should I seek help?
Minor hip pain may lessen with over-the-counter pain relief medications and a couple of days of rest. If your pain persists, it’s a good idea to have it checked out by an orthopedic specialist to determine the cause.
You should seek swift medical attention if any of the following occur:
Sudden onset of significant hip pain
01
Joint appears deformed
02
Pain following a motor vehicle accident
03
You’re unable to put weight on your hip or move your leg
04
A popping sound occurred during an injury
05
A sudden injury or fall preceded the pain
06
Persistent pain following a fall
07
You notice significant swelling
08
How is hip pain treated?
Your treatment plan depends on the cause of your hip pain as well as your overall health. Non-surgical treatment options include relative rest, activity modification, medication, physical therapy, and interventional measures. Recent advances in medical technology have allowed for other more innovative injectables used to treat hip pain associated with labral injuries and degenerative joint disease to name a couple. Many patients and practitioners alike have found improved outcomes with the use of these agents. When non-surgical treatment options are no longer effective, surgical intervention may be recommended. If you’re living with serious or ongoing hip pain, schedule a consultation at Ortho Spine Life to begin a path toward healthy, pain-free function.
ORTHO PAIN
Common ortho pain areas.
SPINE PAIN