Side Hip Pain

Side hip pain causes great discomfort and therefore, must be treated according to the cause. Let us discuss it in detail.

Causes

Pain in the hip region can occur due to a number of causes. Given below are some of them.

Trochanteric Bursitis
Trochanteric bursitis, also known as hip bursitis, is a common cause. Bursa is a sac filled with fluid and is present in between the tendons and the bones. Due to the inflammation of this fluid, the tendons rub over the bones and this results in pain which is called bursitis. When this happens at the hip joint, it is called hip bursitis. Due to the rubbing of the tendons with the bone there is severe hip pain at the outer side of the upper thigh. There are many causes of hip bursitis viz., hip injury and post surgical bursitis. Hip injury can cause hip bursitis. Also, after the surgery of the hip fracture or any other hip related surgery, hip bursitis can occur. In addition, athletes or runners or any sportsperson involved with running can get hip bursitis which results in side hip pain.

Hip Arthritis
Due to the wear and tear of the hip joint, there can be degeneration in the joints. The cartilage of the joint is worn out due to arthritis and the bone is exposed. Obesity is the main cause of hip arthritis, along with traumatic conditions like fractures. Hip arthritis of the left hip can cause hip pain on the left side.

Tendonitis
Tendonitis results from the inflammation of the tendons, which are the structures that offer smooth gliding motion of the joint, and due to tendonitis, the motion of the joint is very painful. Tendonitis can be age related, though excessive exercising can cause tendonitis in the hips. Iliotibial band syndrome is tendonitis in the hip joint. The iliotibial band extends from the hips to the outer side of the shin bone.

Fractures
Fractures and stress fractures in hips is one of the common causes. Stress fracture is a result of high intensity sports, and athletes are the most common victims of these kinds of fractures. Also, injuries can be a reason for fractures, which can then result in side hip pain.

Dysfunction of Lumbar Spine
The dysfunction of the lumbar spine is another cause. This dysfunction further results in sacroiliac dysfunction. The hip flexion is affected due to the strain on the sacroiliac joint. This strain does not aid the movement of the hip joint. Herniated discs or the sciatica can be the reason for the pain. Sleeping on side can cause hip pain in many cases like bursitis, tendonitis, arthritis or even pregnancy.

Treatment

Thus, depending upon the cause of the side pain in hips, the treatment is decided. The treatment can vary from rest to medications, and from massage to surgery and use of steroids. Heat can also soothe hip pain to a great extent. Henceforth, if you are experiencing any pain in the hips, it is best to consult your doctor immediately.

This was all about causes and treatment of side hip pain. However, these causes are for your reference only, and you must consult a doctor immediately if you experience pain, to ensure that it does not aggravate any further, leading to complications.