Hip Pain Problems

Our hips do a lot of work for us. They support our bodies, put up with the repeated motion of back and forth while we walk and run, and help us to dance the night away when needed. They are not indestructible, however, and over time, they may begin to hurt. If you are experiencing hip pain, you might be curious as to what may be causing it. If so, we may just have the answers you need.

The Anatomy of the Hip

Our hips are made up of two ball and socket joints, actually the largest of all the joints in our bodies. They are designed to withstand a lot of wear and tear, with a cushion of cartilage inside the joint to give us that fluid range of motion we need every day. Over time, the cartilage will begin to wear down, or become damaged. The muscles and tendons that are attached to the hip, that join it to our torso and to our legs, can be overused, and stretched or torn.

The bones that form the hip, and its ball and socket joints, are just like any other bone in our bodies. They can become broken if we fall, or be susceptible to any number of bone disorders, especially arthritis. When this happens, or any number of other medical conditions, the hips begin to hurt, and stop working as they should.

Causes of Hip Pain

As we said, there can be a whole host of medical conditions that can cause a patient to suffer pain in the hip. The most common cause is simple aging, which can cause bones to thicken and lose the vital lubrication that the joints need to function properly. Arthritis is the number one reason behind such pain, and while there is no cure, it can be eased with a combination of regular exercise and medication. Bursitis will cause the muscles and tendons around the hip to become inflamed, as will tendonitis. Fractures of the hip bones come in a distant third in the rankings of common causes.

Two of the most devastating causes of pain in the hip are cancers, and a disease known as avascular necrosis. Cancers can spread to the hips and weaken them, or start there, as in the case of bone cancer or leukemia, which affects the marrow within the bone. Avascular necrosis can be an especially nasty condition to treat. What happens is that the blood flow to the hip bone is reduced to nearly nothing, and the bone tissue dies as a result. Dislocating or fracturing the hip can lead to this necrosis, as will prolonged use of high dosage steroids, like prednisone.

Symptoms

The symptoms included with pain in the hip can vary, depending upon what condition is causing it. Some symptoms will worsen with activity, especially if it is caused by something like arthritis. You may develop a limp, as well as finding that your range of motion has been reduced.

The main symptoms associated with this condition are pain felt in the thigh, the inside of the hip joint, the groin, the outside of the hip joint, or the buttocks. Other pains throughout the body, like those from the lower back, can also radiate towards the hips, and make it feel like the pain is coming from there.

Pain Relief Options

If your pain is caused by muscle strain, osteoarthritis or tendonitis, it can usually be managed by over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers will usually be treated with anti-inflammatory prescription drugs like corticosteroids, or anti-rheumatic drugs like methotrexate or sulfasalzine.

Other options include exercising, usually low-impact activities like swimming, stretching and resistance training, all geared to improving joint mobility and reducing the pain. Another treatment choice that can improve range of motion is physical therapy, and some chiropractic adjustments, all designed to reduce your overall hip pain.