Hip Pain

The signs regarding hip pain which indicate that assistance of a doctor should be taken are:

• hip pain that takes place during resting or at night
• inability to bend the hip
• inability to walk comfortably on the affected side
• swelling of the hip or the thigh area
• injury causing deformity around the joint
• signs of infection like fever, warmth or redness
• hip pain that continues for several days

Causes of Hip Pain

Osteoarthritis : This is also called degenerative arthritis. A breakdown of cartilage in the joints occurs. After the cartilage disappears, the bones rub against each other. This causes pain and stiffness. Usually, this happens in case of people aged 50 years and older and generally with individuals with a history of osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis : there are chemical changes in the synovium that results in its thickening and inflammation. Gradually, the synovial fluid destroys cartilage. Due to this cartilage loss, pain and stiffness occurs. Generally, about 3 times women are affected more than men. Also, other organs of the body are also affected.

Post-traumatic Arthritis : after an injury to the joint in which bone and cartilage do not heal properly. The joint does not remain smooth and these irregularities cause more wear on the joint surfaces.

Trochanteric Bursitis : This is a common problem that leads to inflammation of the bursa over the outside of the hip joint.

Tendonitis : This can occur in any of the tendons that surround the hip joint.

Osteonecrosis : This condition occurs when blood flow to a region of bone is restricted. When insufficient quantity of blood flow reaches the bone, the cells may die and the bone gets collapsed. Generally, this occurs in the hip joint.

Snapping Hip Syndrome : This is used to describe three distinct hip problems. The initial is when the IT band snaps on the outside of the thigh. The second is when the deep hip flexor snaps over the front of the hip joint. Lastly, tears of the cartilage or labrum around the hip socket can lead to a snapping sensation.

Hip fracture : This takes place in generally in elderly patients with osteoporosis. Broken hips require either surgery to replace the broken portion or repair it using a metal plate and screws.

Treatments

Physical Therapy : This is a very important method of treatment for various orthopedic conditions. Different methods are used to raise strength, regain mobility and assist to enable patients to their pre-injury level of activity.

Ice and Heat Application : These are the very common treatments for inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory medication : Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are the most commonly used medications for hip pain.

Rest : The initial treatment is to rest the joint and cause the acute inflammation to subside. Generally, it is found that this is the only step required to relieve hip pain. In case the symptoms are severe, crutches or a cane can also be helpful.

Stretching : The muscles and tendons that surround the joint can be stretched in some cases of hip pain.

Progression

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that leads to pain and stiffness that becomes worse after activity. Septic arthritis (joint infection) or osteomyelitis (bone infection) are in need of urgent diagnosis as they can lead to joint destruction. A condition like polymyalgia rheumatica should be also quickly diagnosed as it can be treated with corticosteroids and is generally concerned with temporal arteritis.

Hip problems in childhood

Developmental Dysplasia : If the hips are dislocated or out of position in infancy, the joint may not develop properly. In childhood this is not generally painful, but it causes early arthritis and problems while walking.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease : This problem is similar to osteonecrosis but in childhood. If it becomes severe, it leads to permanent damage to this hip joint and early arthritis.