The hip joint is a very stable and strong joint. It is a ball-and-socket joint in which the top of the thigh bone fits into the hollow socket into your pelvis. The ball-and-socket joint allows maximum movement of the bones involved. There are muscles and tendons which form a capsule around the joint and support it. Whenever you move or run, a cushion of cartilage helps in preventing the friction between the bones and the socket.
With age, this cartilage may wear down or get damaged. Muscles and tendons can get inflamed and the hip bones can break due to a fall or injury. Any of these causes can lead to hip pain.
If you are experiencing hip pain, here is a rundown of what might be causing pain and discomfort:
Core muscle injury (Sports Hernia or Athletic Pubalgia):
If you are experiencing pain in the groin area, it might be due to core muscle injuries such as a tear or strain of muscles or other tissues in the lower abdomen. This injury is common among those who play sports involving a lot of twisting and turning when they people are not as conditioned as they need to be.
Bursitis:
If you have pain on the outside of your thigh, hip or buttocks, it can be due to Bursitis. It is the inflammation of the fluid sacs that keep tendons and muscles from rubbing against bone. Bursitis becomes more common with age and is prevalent in people over 60 years.
Tendonitis:
Thick bands of tissue that attach bones to muscles are called tendons. When tendons involved in the hip joint get inflamed, it leads to Tendonitis. It leads to pain and difficulty in moving. It is usually caused by repetitive stress due to overuse.
Muscle or tendon strain:
Repeated activities can strain the tendons, ligaments, and muscles that support the hip. It can lead to inflammation in these tissues and cause pain and movement restriction.
Labral tears:
The ring of cartilage that lines the hip socket is called Labrum. It ensures that the ball of the thigh bone stays in place. When it tears, it causes pain in the groin or hip and restricts movement; creating a sensation that hip is locking or clicking. It is commonly seen among athletes and ballerinas.
Hip impingement:
When hip bones fuse in an abnormal shape and restrict the movement, it is called hip impingement or femoral acetabular impingement (FAI). It is usually seen in young people who perform high-intensity workouts or athletics. It not only causes a lot of pain but it also increases the risk of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis:
If you are having a dull kind of pain every day in your hip, then it can be due to Osteoarthritis. It is a very common cause of pain. In Osteoarthritis, joints become stiff and swollen due to inflammation and breakdown of cartilage.
Fracture:
Sudden acute pain can be due to hip bone fracture. Fractures can happen due to a fall or injury. With age, the bones become weak and brittle which increases the risk of fractures.
How can you keep your hip joint healthy?
To prevent hip pain, we suggest:
If you are experiencing pain in the Boise, Idaho region regarding hip pain, contact Boise's top orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Michael Gustavel.