Hip pain is a not infrequent complaint for men and women of all ages, though it is more common in older adults who are often beginning to develop osteoarthritis.
The largest joint in the body, the hip is a ball-and-socket connecting the thigh bone to the pelvis designed to enable a wide range of motion. There are several common causes of hip pain and a range of treatment options to manage discomfort and preserve mobility.
“Hip arthritis is common as we age and we see plenty of patients with pain that can negatively affect their daily activities,” said Endeavor Health orthopaedic surgeon John Moon, MD, an expert in anterior hip replacement.
Aging and daily wear and tear
Osteoarthritis is a result of daily wear and tear on the joint and cartilage deterioration that often causes pain and/or diminished mobility and stiffness.
Bursitis, or inflammation of the bursa sac that cushions bones, tendons and muscles around the joint, is another common cause of hip pain, especially in active people who are more likely to have overuse issues from repetitive movements, said Dr. Moon.
Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome is another frequent source of hip pain, added Dr. Moon. The IT band is a thick band of tissue (fascia) on the outside of the leg from the pelvic bone to the knee, and when it becomes too tight, it can rub against either the hip or knee and create pain.
Like bursitis, IT band syndrome is more widespread in athletes particularly runners and cyclists whose sports involve repetitive motion.
Pain from other areas of the body, like the lower back, can radiate or be referred to the hip.
So, what’s the best strategy when hip pain strikes?
“Rest and avoid the activities that may be causing the pain, ice and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications are a good place to start,” said Dr. Moon. But if the pain doesn’t go away in a few days it’s important to see an orthopaedic specialist who can order X-rays or other imaging to determine what’s causing the problem.
“We want to determine common causes of pain such as hip arthritis or bursitis, as well as rule out other causes, such as a pinched nerve in the back or something that needs immediate treatment,” explained Dr. Moon.
Pain management options
For common hip arthritis, physical therapy (PT) is often the first course of action. Trained therapists can help patients with specific exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip, which can help to increase range of motion and decrease pain and discomfort, said Dr. Moon.
If patients are not getting better after four to six weeks of PT, a steroid injection may be an option to help bring down inflammation and provide pain relief.
And in cases of bone-on-bone arthritis, surgery is often the best option. “Hip replacements work well for our patients and the new implants can last 25-30 years,” said Dr. Moon. “The anterior, muscle-sparing technique is an easier recovery and many patients report that their arthritis pain is gone right after surgery.”
“Things have come a long way in joint replacements and we can do a lot of same day surgery where patients go home the day of their surgery, and by two weeks some patients are walking without a cane or a walker,” said Dr. Moon.
Related Articles
