Hip Pain Conditions

Hip Pain Conditions Treatment by Dr. Vivek Loomba

Hip Pain is a common problem and there are many possible causes of this condition including arthritis, injuries, fractures, or inflamed tendons. Hip can be affected by strained or inflamed soft tissues resulting from vigorous activity. It usually affects gymnasts, dancers, or weightlifters who use their hips to carry out movements and functionalities in directions due to overuse of muscles.

Causes of Hip Pain

Hip pain has many potential causes including arthritis, injuries, bursitis, structural abnormalities, and childhood illness. In many cases, the exact cause of hip pain is also not clear. However, some hip pain can be treated with medications.

1. Arthritis – There are several types of arthritis that affect patients of all ages including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing arthritis. Hip arthritis is common in people with older age and severe medical conditions. 
2. Injuries – Overuse of muscles, ligaments, and tendons can damage the soft tissues of the bones. Athletes are prone to injuries due to the frequent movement of some body parts in all directions. Older age people are likely to have pain in joints as bones become fragile as we age. Types of injuries one may experience include –

• Dislocated Hip
• Strain in muscles
• Fractures
• Snapping or Popping of Hip
• Labral Tears (damage to the cartilage)

1. Bursitis – It happens when a bursa becomes inflamed.  A number of factors can cause hip injury, overuse of joints, or posture problems. This condition is much more common in women than in men.
2. Structural abnormalities – Dysplasia of the hip affects babies. When a hip socket is shallow, the ball and socket joint doesn’t stay in the socket. It mostly runs in families. It happens when the baby’s feet come out first due to breech delivery. 
3. Childhood illness – Perthes disease is one kind of childhood illness that affects children between the age group of 6 to 10. It causes blood loss at the end of the femur i.e. thighbone. It causes the bony ball to break down causing its shape to change. Now, it no longer fits in the socket causing hip joint pain.  

How is Hip pain diagnosed?

Finding the root cause of hip pain can be difficult. There are a variety of things that can cause hip pain, from arthritis to injuries. It’s important to get a diagnosis from a doctor to find out the root cause of the pain for acquiring the best treatment options.

There are a few different ways that a doctor can diagnose hip pain such as –

• Physical exam – The doctor will look at your hip and ask about your symptoms. They may also test your range of motion and check for any signs of inflammation.
• Imaging tests – This includes X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. These tests can help the doctor determine the cause and severity of the pain.

Hip pain can be a sign of a variety of different conditions, so it’s important to consult a doctor if you’re experiencing any major symptoms. 

Treatments

Treatments for hip pain are determined on the basis of the severity and complexity of the pain. The RICE (Rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method is a good alternative for mild injuries of muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Some hip pain requires minimally invasive surgery to repair damaged tendons and ligaments. Arthritis treatment also includes medication and physical therapy treatments. Doctors usually treat DDH and Perthes disease with braces, cast, and slings to keep the joints in place. Physical therapy exercises are always helpful for strengthening hip muscles and joints providing pain relief.

When to see a doctor?

If you’re experiencing pain on a frequent basis then it is better to consult a doctor as it may be due to arthritis or an underlying medical condition. Consult a healthcare professiuonal if you’re finding difficulty in walking or moving. Hip pain in children happens due to DDH or Perthes disease. Talk to your pediatrician for expert care and solutions for necessary childcare on hip pain or walking problems.