Hip pain

Table of Contents:

  1. What is hip pain?
  2. Prognosis
  3. Symptoms
  4. Medical tests
  5. What causes hip pain?
  6. Prevention
  7. Treatment
  8. Medical specialist

What is hip pain?

The hip is one of the largest joints in the body. It is responsible for supporting the weight of the entire body, which is why hip pain is very common.

Hip pain is thus defined as all discomfort that may occur in or around the hip, which includes the groin, thigh or knee. Aging and use of the joint can affect freedom of movement.

Hip pain may occur in the hip itself or radiate to other areas.

Prognosis of the disease

Hip pain is usually not very severe. It is aging and use of the joint that may be causing the pain.

However, the hips are very important for maintaining overall mobility, and pain can make all daily activities painful and even difficult, also in young patients. Just getting out of bed, going for a walk or climbing stairs can be an ordeal. In severe cases, even moving or leaning on the affected hip or leg can be very painful. In these cases it is necessary to see a specialist, who will determine the type of treatment, or even if an operation is necessary.

Symptoms of hip pain

Hip pain can not only affect the joint itself, but can radiate to many related areas, such as the thighs, groin, buttocks…

Some common symptoms produced by hip problems are:

  • Difficulty walking or standing.
  • Difficulty or inability to bend or bend the hip.
  • Swelling in the buttocks.
  • fever
  • Pain in the area while sitting or even in bed.
  • Sensation of warmth in the painful area.
  • Pain referred to other areas, such as pain in the knees.
  • Pain that worsens after exercise, running or walking.
  • Decreased range of motion in both hips and legs.
  • Slight limp.
  • Shooting pain in one side of the hip.
  • Low back pain.
  • Pain in the buttocks and pelvis.

Medical tests for hip pain

Hip pain can be experienced in different areas surrounding the joint, as mentioned above, so the specific location of the pain is important to help diagnose the cause of the pain. Pain in the hip itself or in the groin may be due to a problem in itself but if the pain is located in the upper thighs or buttocks, it may be due to a soft tissue problem.

To identify where the cause comes from different studies will be necessary:

  • Anamnesis, to rule out the so-called red flags.
  • To rule out intra-articular and extra-articular pathologies, as well as pain referred to other neighboring structures (lumbar and sacrum, peripheral nerves, genitourinary system and gastrointestinal tract).
  • Physical examination by the specialist, where the patient will be asked to point out the location of the pain, also while standing (called Fortin test). In addition, hypersensitivity to palpation will also be analyzed and if the patient suffers pain when raising the leg, going down the stairs with one leg, staying on one leg…
  • Differential diagnosis to rule out lesions in the lumbar region of the spine.
  • Various tests, when a specific pathology is suspected.
  • If any condition is positive in these tests, an imaging test will be recommended to confirm the specialist’s suspicions.
  • In the case of intra-articular conditions, an arthro-resonance will also be recommended. In tendon injuries, an MRI or ultrasound will be recommended.
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What are the causes of hip pain?

There are several main causes of hip pain:

  • Hip fractures.
  • Arthritis.
  • Arthrosis of the hip.
  • Rupture of the glenoid impeller.
  • Osteonecrosis of the hip, which occurs when there is an interruption of the blood supply to the bone.
  • Infection in the bones or joints in the area.
  • Muscle strain in the groin.
  • Bursitis, caused by friction between tendons, muscles and bones.
  • Spring hip syndrome.
  • Piriformis syndrome, which is often confused with sciatica because it produces pain that radiates down the legs.
  • Tendinitis, when the muscles and tendons located around the waist become inflamed.
  • Osteoporosis, characterized by a decrease in bone density.
  • Osteoarthritis, associated with the loss of cartilage.

Can it be prevented?

Preventing hip pain will depend on the underlying cause, but it is advisable:

  • Maintain an ideal, balanced weight, according to the patient’s age and build.
  • Perform hip resistance movements, always without pain.
  • Take frequent walks, with periods of rest if necessary.
  • Swimming and/or cycling without resistance, in order to ensure the movement of the joint.
  • Running on smooth surfaces, and better on roads than on cement.
  • Use insoles if the patient has flat feet.
  • Avoid running downhill and do it walking.

On the other hand, it is recommended to avoid:

  • Standing for long periods of time, without moving.
  • Sitting in very low or soft places or seats for long periods of time.
  • Excessive weight bearing.
  • Self-medicating.

Treatments for hip pain

In the first place a conservative treatment that does not require medication, such as physiotherapy exercises, weight control and weight loss if necessary, hot and cold therapies, physical therapies, etc. will be tried.

If this does not work, it is possible that pharmacological treatment with anti-inflammatory or analgesic drugs, corticosteroid injections or others may be required.

In the event that the pathology cannot be solved with more conservative treatments, surgery will be necessary, which may include hip atroplasty, replacement of the joint by means of a hip prosthesis, joint lavage or bone fusion, among other procedures.

Which specialist treats you?

The specialist who deals with hip pain is the traumatologist, mainly, and the family physician, who can be called upon in the first instance.