Hip pain can result from a variety of conditions.
Injuries
Hip fractures are among the
- pain
- swelling
- one leg appearing deformed or shorter than the other
- inability to bear weight
Hip pain can also be caused by connective tissue injuries. These include tears to the tendons or labrum. The labrum is the layer of cartilage lining your hip socket.
Connective tissue injuries can sometimes occur due to overuse. These injuries can affect active people, such as gymnasts, dancers, or runners. They include:
- iliotibial band syndrome, or inflammation of the tendon running from the outside of the hip to the knee
- gluteus maximus and gluteus medius tendon tears, which can cause pain on the side of the hip
- labral tears
Soft tissue injuries also include muscle strains, sprains, or tears.
Bone deformities
Femoroacetabular impingement is a deformity of the hip joint. It causes the ball of the hip to pinch against the cup of the hip. It occurs when a bump on the ball of your femur contacts an overgrowth on the edge of your hip socket.
Bursitis
Bursitis is inflammation in the bursae, the fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints. It is sometimes called greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Bursitis
- injury
- repeated microtraumas from running or similar exercises
- weakness of the gluteal muscles, or the muscles of the buttocks
In some cases, the cause of bursitis may be unknown.
Learn more about the causes of hip bursitis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that can affect the cartilage and bone in the hip joint. It is the
Learn more about the causes and risk factors for hip osteoarthritis.
Piriformis syndrome
Piriformis syndrome occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle of the buttocks. It causes pain deep in the buttock area with shooting pains down the affected leg.
Avascular necrosis
Avascular necrosis refers to the death of bone tissue in the head of the femur. It is caused by poor blood flow to the area. Risk factors
Referred or radiated pain
Lumbar spine issues
Sciatica is one example of this type of pain. It causes shooting pains down the leg.
To make a diagnosis, your doctor will look at your medical history and ask questions about your symptoms.
These may include questions about what makes your pain better or worse. They may also ask about any events that preceded your hip pain, such as a fall.
Your doctor may then perform a physical examination to assess your:
- nerve function
- circulation
- weight-bearing ability
- mobility
They may also move your leg into different positions to see whether certain movements cause pain.
Your doctor may order imaging scans, such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI. These can help them see fractures or damage to other tissues in your hip area.
Treatment for hip pain will depend on the cause. Hip pain caused by an acute condition may require different treatment than pain from a chronic condition.
Treatment methods may be surgical, medical or conservative.
Conservative treatment
Conservative treatments are most helpful when there is no structural damage to your hip. Your doctor may recommend these treatments if they believe you will heal on your own with minimal support.
According to a 2020 review, conservative treatment has a success rate of up to
Types of conservative treatment to relieve hip pain include:
- heat
- ice
- physical therapy
- stretching exercises
With physical therapy, the goal is to improve strength and flexibility of muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your hip.
In addition to physical treatments, some medications may also help reduce hip pain. These can include:
- Topical medications: These include medications containing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), menthol, or capsaicin.
- Oral medications: These can include:
- NSAIDs
- duloxetine, an antidepressant with known pain-relieving effects
- tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsant medications to help with nerve pain
- opioids, used only for short periods in severe cases
- Injectable medications: These include anesthetics and corticosteroids.
Surgery
Several surgical procedures are available to help with structural damage in the hip. They include:
- Nerve ablation: This involves using radiofrequency signals to destroy the nerves causing pain.
- Tendon or ligament repairs: Surgery may involve stitches to repair a tear or placement of an artificial or donated ligament or tendon.
- Open reduction/internal fixation (ORIF): This procedure involves exposing the bone through an incision and installing hardware such as plates or screws.
- Joint-salvaging procedures: These involve replacing diseased bone with bone grafts or an artificial material that stimulates new bone growth. Your doctor
may recommend Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source this kind of procedure for avascular necrosis. - Hip arthroplasty: This involves the replacement of the ball of your femur, your hip socket, or both. Total hip arthroplasty is when both parts are replaced. Hip hemiarthroplasty is when only one part is replaced. Hip arthroplasty
can offer Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source significant improvement in pain and function.
The outlook for someone with hip pain depends on the cause. For some people, conservative therapies alone may provide relief and functional improvement. Others may require more intensive care.
It is important to follow the treatment plan you discuss with your doctor. This is the best way to ensure pain relief and restore hip function.
Risk factors for hip pain can include the following:
- obesity
- female sex assigned at birth
- high activity causing overuse injuries
- older age
- history of accident or injury
- history of spine problems
- alcohol or tobacco use
Not all causes of hip pain are preventable. However, there are some steps you can take to help prevent hip pain. These include:
- Avoiding falls: Minimizing the risk of falls
is key Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source to preventing fractures. Some ideas include:- removing loose rugs
- clearing pathways in your home
- turning lights on before walking at night
- installing grab bars in the bathroom
- staying active to maintain strength and balance
- ensuring stair rails are sturdy and secure
- Maintaining a moderate weight: Obesity is a risk factor for hip pain. Working with a dietitian or exercise specialist can help you maintain a moderate weight.
- Preventing overuse injuries: Stretching, warming up, and increasing exercise slowly may help prevent overuse injuries.
Contact your doctor about hip pain if you have:
- sudden onset of pain
- severe pain
- inability to bear weight on the affected leg
- pain after a fall or accident
- pain accompanied by leg deformity, such as one leg appearing shorter than the other
You should also contact your doctor if you experience a fall. They can help you create a fall prevention plan.
Some causes of hip pain are temporary and manageable with certain lifestyle changes. Others may require medications or surgery.
Contact your doctor if your hip pain is severe, sudden, or follows an accident or injury. They can determine the cause of your hip pain and help you create a treatment plan.