Hip pain is a common condition that can be seen in later life, accompanied by bone or joint disorders or as a result of possible bone/joint trauma. The hip is the largest and most mobile joint in the body, and since this structure also acts as a load-bearing structure in the body, it has the ability to have a significant negative impact on a person's life when it is painful. The hip is an important function used for the simplest physical activities in daily life such as walking and sitting. Any pain in the hip joint should be taken into consideration as it can cause a bigger problem in a person's daily life over time, and if a person has hip pain that does not go away for two weeks, it is recommended to be examined by an orthopedic doctor.
What is hip pain?
The hip joint acts as a bridge between the thighbone and pelvis. Pain in the hip area can also be caused by joint disorders in the hip, soft tissue disorders around the hip, or the reflection of knee or low back-based pain outside the hip to the hip. Over time, when the hip joint is overused as a result of physical activities, the cartilage structure may be damaged or the soft structures may wear out. In addition, fractures or cracks can be seen in the hip bone due to injuries that may occur in people with osteoporosis. For these reasons, pain in the hip is likely to occur. Hip pain can sometimes be felt in the groin area, anterior thigh, upper calf and knees.
Why does hip pain occur?
Although the hip joint has a durable structure, it can be injured due to certain movements, trauma or occasionally due to excess weight. A clear identification of the location where the hip pain occurs will be useful in determining the source of the pain.
The most common conditions and conditions that cause hip pain can be listed as follows:
- Muscles and tendons can be damaged by overuse or as a result of any trauma. This can cause hip pain.
- The wear of the cushions called bursa, which protect the muscles and tendons, due to overuse can lead to the formation of inflammation and this inflammation formation prepares the ground for hip pain.
- The most common cause of pain in the hip is calcification. Calcification can occur as a result of congenital hip development disorder, arthritis, inflammatory rheumatic diseases and trauma or fractures.
- Inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can cause hip pain.
- Hip impingement syndrome, which can occur as a result of the rounded head in the hip being thick or shallow due to its structure, is another condition that causes pain in the hip and is often seen in young individuals.
- As the age increases, the fragility and sensitivity of the bones can cause fractures in the hip due to reasons such as falls and impacts.
- Congenital dislocation of the hip or structural deformations in the hip can cause hip pain as the age progresses.
- Cancer in the hip bone or another cancer in any part of the body can cause pain in this area if it spreads to the hip.
- There is frequent blood circulation in the soft tissues around the hip and in the hip joints. For this reason, this area can be very susceptible to infection.
- The death of bone cells, which develops in relation to the disruption of blood flow in the hip bone, can lead to hip pain. This event, which occurs in people who use cortisone for a long time and in many other similar situations, causes pain in the hip.
- Pain that occurs in areas of the body close to the hip, such as the lower back, coccyx or knee disorders, can hit the hip. Pain in the hip can also be caused by diseases of the pelvic organs.
- Disorders related to the vessels and nerves close to the hip joint may be another factor that causes pain in the hip.
What are the Symptoms of Hip Pain?
To talk about the symptoms of hip pain, pain in the hip joints and close to the hip; It occurs when pain in areas such as the knee, waist, coccyx affects the hip. The main symptoms of hip pain include limitation of movement due to pain in the hip area and the inhibition of routine, simple physical activities due to pain, or pain that makes itself felt even when immobilized. Occasionally, a condition that occurs in a region other than the hip joint may also show its effect by causing pain in the hip. In this case, a detailed description of the pain is necessary for the physician to diagnose the condition. Radiologic images can be used to get to the root of the problem.
How is hip pain diagnosed? How is hip pain diagnosed?
In order for the physician to make an accurate diagnosis of hip pain, it is important that the patient expresses his/her complaints well. It is difficult to diagnose hip pain, which is common in the society. This is because the patient describes pain in another area or the pain he/she describes as hip pain may actually be a pain caused by another area affecting the hip. In this case, tests should be performed to diagnose the patient, and the patient's good description of the discomfort and symptoms will facilitate both the diagnosis and the treatment process.
After listening to the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination, a number of tests and films are needed. X-rays may be taken to make sure that the pain is not caused by damage to the bones. A three-dimensional image of the hip joint is taken by tomography to find out if the pain is caused by damage to the joint or joint units. An MRI scan can be used to examine the muscles and tendons and to look for problems in the soft tissues. However, if possible diseases are suspected, help can be obtained from blood tests.
How is hip pain treated?
In the treatment of hip pain, a treatment method is determined according to the source and cause of the pain. Mostly, the patient is given rest to restrict mobility. Anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers or muscle relaxants are given to the patient to reduce pain in hip pain due to calcification. At the same time, in some of the treatments, which will vary depending on the condition, the patient is recommended to perform recovery-oriented exercises. Depending on the severity of the disease or pain, the patient may be referred to physical therapy. Regular physical therapy and exercises are important in the healing process. In hip pain caused by osteoporosis, supplements such as calcium and vitamin D can be used to strengthen damaged bones. Local anesthetic injection or cortisone therapy can be applied as a treatment method for pain due to soft tissue damage such as muscles and tendons. Surgical operation may be required in congenital pathological disorders.
Warning: If you have been experiencing hip pain for more than two weeks, you should consult a health institution as soon as possible.
Hip Joint Protective Recommendations
- The use of a walking stick can prevent weight on the hip.
- Patients should try to avoid walking downhill and uphill as much as possible.
- If there is difficulty in walking or if walking causes pain, sports that do not put weight on the hip, such as swimming, can be practiced.