Understanding Hip Pain: Common Causes and Effective Treatments

The hip is solid and stable, classified as a ball-and-socket joint. This structure is named after the shape of the top of the thigh bone, which resembles a ball, fitting snugly into a hollow socket in the pelvis. Among the various types of joints in the body, ball-and-socket joints allow for the greatest range of movement.

The hip joint is surrounded and supported by a network of muscles attached to the bones via strong tendons. These muscles and tendons form a protective capsule around the joint, enabling smooth movement while supporting the leg and upper body. Within this capsule lies the synovium, which produces synovial fluid to lubricate the joint and maintain the health of the cartilage.

The cartilage acts as a cushion, preventing the bones in the hip joint from rubbing against each other and absorbing impact during movement. Due to its robust support system, hip dislocation is rare, even in cases of high-impact injury. For the best hip pain treatment, you should consult Dr. Manohar Kanwaria.

Symptoms of Hip Pain

Hip joint pain can arise from various conditions, and the location of discomfort may vary depending on the underlying cause. You may experience pain in the following areas:

• Thigh: Discomfort may spread along the front, back, or side of your thigh, often indicating issues with the muscles, tendons, or bones connected to the hip joint.
• Inside of the hip joint: Hip muscle pain is commonly linked to problems within the hip joint itself, such as arthritis or labral tears.
• Groin: Groin pain can occur due to issues like hip flexor strains, hernias, or hip joint inflammation.
• Outside of the hip joint: This type of discomfort is often related to bursitis or tendonitis, which affects the tissues surrounding the joint.
• Buttocks: Pain in the buttocks may indicate issues with the muscles or nerves, such as piriformis syndrome, that influence hip movement.

If you are experiencing these hip pain symptoms, you can consult Dr. Manohar Kanwaria today.

Causes of Hip Pain

The following are the most common hip pain causes:

1. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common cause of daily, persistent hip pain. It occurs when the cartilage in the joint deteriorates, leading to stiffness, swelling, and inflammation. As a result, the bones rub against each other, causing pain and potential deformity.

Engaging in high-impact activities, such as marathon running or sports like basketball, increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis due to the added stress on the joints. Other factors, such as aging, obesity, or traumatic injuries, can worsen the condition and intensify the pain, potentially leading to disability.

2. Bursitis

Bursitis refers to the painful swelling of a small, fluid-filled sac known as a bursa. Bursae (plural of bursa) act as cushions between bones and surrounding tissues, reducing friction. When the bursa in the hip becomes irritated and inflamed, it leads to hip bursitis. There are two main types of hip bursitis:

• Iliopectineal bursitis: Inflammation occurs in the bursa located near the front of the hip.
• Trochanteric bursitis: This type affects the bursa on the outer side of the hip.

Both conditions can cause discomfort and limit hip movement, often requiring hip pain treatment to alleviate symptoms.

3. Hip Fractures

As you age, your bones may weaken and become more brittle, increasing the risk of fractures, especially during falls. A hip fracture often results from such injuries but can also occur due to repetitive stress.

Stress fractures develop when continuous pressure is applied to the bone, commonly seen in athletes who engage in high-impact activities. Over time, this repeated strain weakens the bone, leading to small cracks or fractures.  Athletes, particularly those involved in sports that require running or jumping, are more prone to stress fractures due to the constant demand placed on their bones.

4. Muscle Strain

Repetitive activities can place excessive strain on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the hips. When overused, these tissues can become inflamed, leading to pain and impaired hip function.

Hip flexor strains occur when this muscle is overstretched or overworked, often causing discomfort, limiting movement and right hip pain or left hip pain. Such injuries are typically the result of repetitive motions or activities that require frequent bending or lifting of the leg.

5. Tendonitis

If you’re physically active and feel tenderness in your hip flexor (the group of muscles responsible for bringing your knee and leg toward your body) or groin, you may be dealing with tendonitis. Tendonitis occurs when the tendons—cords that connect muscles to bones—become strained or overused, leading to inflammation.

Repeated stress or minor injuries to these tendons can cause muscular imbalances in the hip, resulting in pain and limited mobility. Individuals who engage in repetitive activities are particularly prone to developing tendonitis, as the continuous strain on the tendons can lead to severe discomfort.

Treatments for Hip Pain

These are some commonly used hip pain treatments:

1. Medicines

Here are some medicines that doctors usually prescribe during hip pain:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Your doctor may prescribe stronger NSAIDs, such as diclofenac, naproxen, or a higher dose of ibuprofen to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. While effective, NSAIDs can sometimes cause side effects.

• Bisphosphonates  

These medications are commonly used to treat conditions like Paget’s disease and osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates work by slowing down bone loss, which helps reduce the risk of hip fractures. They are particularly beneficial for those with weakened bones, preventing further damage.

2. Physiotherapy

A physiotherapist can help restore mobility in your hip by guiding you through gentle range-of-motion exercises tailored to your specific condition. Physiotherapy is beneficial for most individuals and can include exercises to strengthen weak muscles, posture advice to alleviate strain, exercises to prevent stiffness and improve joint flexibility, range-of-motion exercises to increase joint mobility

3. Steroid Injections

If your hip joint pain is caused by bursitis or inflammation, steroid injections can provide relief. These injections are often combined with a local anesthetic to numb the area, reducing discomfort during the procedure. Steroid injections are particularly effective for treating conditions affecting the trochanteric area on the outside of the hip. Ultrasound-guided injections are becoming increasingly popular for such treatments.

4. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

It is a minimally invasive procedure designed to relieve chronic hip joint pain. During RFA, radiofrequency energy is used to generate heat that targets and disrupts the nerves responsible for sending pain signals from the hip joint to the brain. RFA is particularly beneficial for those who have not found relief through other treatments, offering a potential solution for managing chronic hip pain effectively.

Conclusion

If you’re struggling with hip pain, look no further than Dr Manohar Kanwaria, a leading specialist in hip pain treatment. With his extensive expertise and commitment to patient care, Dr. Kanwaria utilizes advanced techniques, including personalized physiotherapy, steroid injections, and minimally invasive procedures like radiofrequency ablation, to provide hip pain treatment and enhance mobility.

His tailored approach ensures that each patient receives the most effective treatment for their specific condition. Trust Dr. Kanwaria to help you regain your quality of life and return to the activities you love, free from the burden of hip pain.