Common Causes of Painful Hips
Do you have painful hips? Mild to severe hip pain is a common symptom as we age, from contact sports, overuse injuries and other causes. We may see a patient’s hip pain presenting in one or more of these areas:
- the outside (lateral) part of the hip
- the front of the hip, in the muscle, called the hip flexor
- the buttocks
- the groin
- the thighs
Because painful hips has many complex causes, it’s essential to get the right diagnosis to treat your acute or chronic hip pain appropriately and effectively. Some of the more common causes are reviewed below.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common causes of chronic hip pain, often resulting from age-related wear and tear on the hip joint. Arthritis is usually felt in the front of the hip or the groin area.
Tendinitis and Bursitis
There are numerous tendons around the hip that connect the muscles to the joint. It’s not uncommon for these tendons to become inflamed if you overuse them or engage in strenuous forms of exercise such as running long distances.
Bursitis is an inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (called bursa), which cushion areas of pressure between joints, muscles and tendons. It’s typically caused by repetitive motions or overuse. In the case of bursitis, pain is usually felt during movement.
Strains
Muscle strains in the hip are the result of micro-tears in muscles caused by quick twists or by pulling a muscle.
Hip Labral Tear
The hip labrum is a band of tissue that surrounds the outer rim of the hip socket. Its job is to help support the hip joint and deepen the socket. Sometimes, overuse or an injury can damage the hip labrum, generating hip pain.
Gynecological Issues
Endometriosis (a condition in which the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus) can cause tenderness in the pelvic region, which many women experience or describe as “hip pain.”
Referred Pain
Sometimes back pain, such as sciatica, can cause pain radiating to the back of the hip, even though the hip itself is not the actual source of the pain. This is known as “referred pain.” Referred pain can also occur if you injure your leg and adjust your gait to compensate, inadvertently putting additional strain on the hip joint.
Sports Injuries
If you play a rough-and-tumble sport such as football, you’re at risk for any number of joint, bone and muscle injuries, including to the hips you twist to catch the ball and which help you eat up distance on the field.
Whatever the cause, you can frequently benefit from the services of a trained physical therapist who works with you to develop a customized regimen of stretching and strengthening treatment.
Sometimes a hip injury is so severe and traumatic that orthopedic surgery is the obvious treatment of choice. Breaking a hip is a common occurrence in people who have osteoarthritis, for example, and surgery is unquestionably required to begin to repair the damage. But even then, postsurgical treatment will include a physical therapy rehabilitation program to restore range of motion and expedite your healing process.
If you suffer from hip pain or limited activity due to stiffness and would like to consult with a specialist about the causes of your hip pain, please contact us.
