Hip Pain
What is Hip Pain?
Hip pain includes any pain in or around the hip joint. You may not feel pain directly in the hip area. You may feel pain in your groin or pain in your thigh or knee.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
Depending on the condition that's causing your hip pain, you might feel discomfort in your:
● Thigh
● Inside of the hip joint
● Groin
● Outside of the hip joint
● Butt
What causes hip pain?
Hip pain can be caused by problems with the bones or cartilage in the hip, including
● Hip fractures - can cause sudden, acute hip pain. These injuries can be serious and cause major problems. This is more common in older patients, as their bones may be more fragile.
● Bone or joint infection.
● Osteonecrosis of the hip (where the bone loses its blood supply and breaks down).
● Arthritis - usually felt in the front of the thigh or groin.
● Hip labral tears.
● Femoral acetabular impingement -- an abnormal growth around the hip joint that is a precursor to hip arthritis. It can cause pain during sports and exercise.
Pain in or around the hip can also be caused by the following problems:
● Bursitis -- pain when getting up from a chair, walking, climbing stairs, and driving a car
● Hamstring strains
● Iliotibial Bundle Syndrome
● Hip flexor strain
● Hip impingement syndrome
● Groin strain
● Hip sprain syndrome
● Hip pain may reflect a back problem rather than a problem with the hip itself. Pain due to problems with the hip itself is usually felt most noticeably in the groin.
How is hip pain treated?
RICE method for hip pain
You can usually treat hip pain at home with the RICE method:
● Rest:Stop the physical activity that caused the pain to avoid making the injury worse.
● Ice:Apply an ice pack or cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes every hour for the first day after your injury. After one day, you can apply ice every three to four hours. Don’t apply ice directly to your skin (wrap the ice pack in a towel or washcloth).
● Compression:Compression helps reduce blood flow to your injured hip and reduces swelling. Apply a compression bandage or wrap around your hip. You can also wear compression shorts or pants to help keep pressure on your hip.
● Elevation:If possible, lift your hips and lower body above the level of your heart. Support your leg with pillows, blankets or cushions.
Medications for hip pain
Most people can take over-the-counter NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Don't take these
medications for more than 10 days in a row without talking to your provider. Physical therapy for hip pain
A physical therapist will show you stretches and exercises that strengthen the muscles around your affected hip. This should improve your stability and can relieve pain. Hip surgery
How can I prevent hip pain?
You may not always be able to prevent hip pain, especially if the pain is caused by an accident you couldn't anticipate or a problem with the natural shape of the hip.
During sports or other physical activities:
● Wear the right protective gear.
● Don't “play through the pain” if your hip hurts during or after exercise.
● Give your body time to rest and recover after strenuous exercise.
● Stretch and warm up before exercising or working out.
● Medications for hip pain
● Cool down and stretch after exercise.