Hip Pain

The hip is a complex joint in the human body. It gets damaged due to age-related wear and tear, bone disorders and injuries. The result is pain and swelling in the hip.

What are the Causes of Hip Pain

Some medical conditions that cause hip pain are:

• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common causes of hip pain. Arthritis leads to the breakdown of the cartilage cushioning the hip bones and leads to inflammation of the hip joint.
• Hip Fractures: Fractures occur due to force or falls. Age related wear and tear of bones makes them more susceptible to fractures.
• Tendinitis: Tendinitis is a condition frequently diagnosed in athletes. It is marked by inflammation of the hip joint and is caused by overuse of legs.
• Bursitis: A condition where bursae or tiny liquid sacs that cushion the muscles, bones, and tendons get inflamed due to overwork from repetitive activity is called bursitis.
• Hip labral tear: Hip labral tear is characterized by a tear that occurs in the protective cartilage lining (the labrum) that holds the ball at the top of the thigh bone secure within the hip socket.
• Muscle or tendon strain: Strain is also a result of repetitive activity.
• Avascular Necrosis: Avascular Necrosis is where blood flow to the hips slows down due to which the bone tissue dies.

When to See a Doctor

You should seek medical help if you observe one or more of the following:

• You heard a popping noise in the joint when the injury happened
• Intense pain that doesn’t subside
• Swelling, redness, or warmth around the joint
• The joint is bleeding or is deformed
• You can’t move your hip or leg or put any weight on it

How is the Cause of Hip Pain Diagnosed

The diagnosis of the cause of hip pain starts with physical examination. The doctor will arrive at a conclusion by observing the joint in motion. He will ask questions about the intensity and frequency of the pain and the extent to which it is affecting your ability to walk. If an infection or rheumatoid arthritis is suspected, the doctor will recommend a blood test.

The extent of damage caused to the hip is evaluated with the help of imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds. These tests provide detailed views of the cartilage, bones, and other surrounding tissues to the doctor.

How is Hip Pain Treated

The treatment plan of hip pain depends on its cause. If the pain is due to strain, applying ice pack, taking a warm shower and low-impact exercise performed under the supervision of an expert can provide pain relief.

In more severe cases of pain, physical therapy is recommended. Physical therapy will also improve the range of motion of the leg.

Medication:
Hip pain due to osteoarthritis, tendon or muscle strain, or tendinitis can be managed with the help of over-the-counter pain medication and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Anti-inflammatory medications like corticosteroids, biologics that target the immune system, bisphosphonates, and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Surgery:
In case of deformity caused by osteoarthritis and fractures, surgical intervention is necessary. Some types of hip surgeries are:

• Hip replacement surgery: This is a standard, reliable and safe treatment option for arthritis-related hip pain. Through this procedure, the surgeon replaces the affected hip with an artificial hip.
• Revision surgery: In the off chance that the hip replacement fails, becomes loose, or gets infected, a revision surgery is performed to fix the hip and restore its function.
• Acetabular labrum surgery: If the acetabular labrum is damaged, it can be repaired by surgically reshaping the hip. In some cases, this procedure can be performed through a small incision using an instrument called arthroscope.