Hip Pain

What is Hip Pain?

Hip pain, one of the common symptoms that patients complain of, may not always be felt precisely over the hip joint. Pain may be felt in and around the hip joint and the cause for pain is multifactorial.


The exact position of your hip pain suggests the probable cause or underlying condition causing pain. Pain felt inside the hip joint or your groin area is more likely to be because of the problems within the hip joint.


Likewise, the pain felt on the outer side of your hip, upper thigh or buttocks may be a result of the problems of the muscles, ligaments, tendons and soft tissues surrounding the hip joint.


However, certain disease conditions affecting other parts of your body such as lower back or knees also cause hip pain.

What are the Causes of Hip Pain?

The main cause of sudden pain in the hip is an injury resulting in fracture of the hip bone. Hip fractures are common in elderly individuals because the bones wear out as age advances. Other causes of hip pain may be:

 

  • Arthritis
  • Bursitis
  • Infection
  • Low back pain
  • Osteonecrosis of the hip
  • Sprains or strains
  • Tendinitis resulting from repetitive use

 

Diagnosis of Hip Pain

Patients who suspect they have sustained a hip injury or are suffering from hip or groin pain should seek medical consultation. The diagnosis for the hip often includes:

Physical Examination

A doctor may evaluate the affected part of the hip to determine the presence of swelling, a limited range of motion, abrasions, bruising, or other common signs of a hip injury.

Throughout the process, your doctor is likely to inquire as to how the injury was sustained, the level of pain the athlete is in, and what symptoms have been identified.

Obtain a Full Medical History

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history, any sports participation and activities that aggravate your condition.

Prior injury can elevate an athlete’s risk of sustaining an injury to the hip or groin. With this in mind, your doctor will likely evaluate the patient’s medical history in order to determine if a former condition has increased the likelihood of a given injury being present.

Medical Imaging

Once your doctor has completed the physical examination of the hip medical imaging such as an X-ray or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can help to form a final diagnosis.

A comprehensive evaluation of the hip allows Dr Edward Graham to eliminate various possibilities, arrive at a diagnosis, and recommend a treatment plan.

Treatments for Hip Pain

Treatment of Hip and Groin Pan can begin immediately after the injury is sustained. Common first-response treatments for Hip and Groin Pain may include:
  • Pain medication - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) can relieve some pain or discomfort associated with the Hip and Groin Pain (ibuprofen or naproxen).
  • R.I.C.E. To reduce the pain and swelling surrounding the injured area.
    • Rest: Rest the affected area as more damage could result from putting pressure on the injury.
    • Ice: Ice should be applied over a towel to the affected area for 15-20 minutes every two to three hours during the day. Never place ice directly over the skin.
    • Compression: Wrapping with an elastic bandage or an elasticated tubular bandage can help to minimize the swelling and provide support to the injured area.
    • Elevation: Elevating the injured area above heart level will also help with swelling and pain
Pausing athletic activity until the symptoms of the hip and groin have faded.

How to Prevent Hip Pain?

  • Gradually increase the intensity of your workout
  • If you have flat feet or other foot problems use shoe inserts
  • Avoid physical activities that may worsen the pain,
  • If you are overweight, you may need to control your weight to avoid overstressing your hips,
  • Stretching the quadriceps and hamstring muscles, 
  • performing warm-up exercises for 5 minutes before the actual exercise regimen improve the condition
  • Wear proper fitting good quality running shoes with good shock absorption
However, the exact cause for the pain needs to be addressed.

If you have an injury with severe hip pain and swelling, talk to Dr Edward Graham immediately for better treatment outcomes.