You never realize how much you rely on your hips functioning the way they should until one or both of them hurt. Suddenly, everyday tasks are difficult or even impossible to manage.
While millions of people across the United States experience hip pain, causes vary widely. Here are five of the most common causes of hip pain.
Muscle Strain
Pulled muscles, usually your groin or hamstring, can present as hip pain. If the pain appeared suddenly after a bout of exercise, you may have strained a muscle. You may not consider muscle strains serious injuries, but they can take months to heal, and severe strains sometimes require surgery. Mild strains generally heal on their own after a few weeks of the RICE treatment: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns or the strain does not seem to be healing.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs as the cartilage cushioning your joints wears down. So, it happens more frequently in older patients. It is the most common type of arthritis and also one of the leading causes of hip pain. Pain in the joint is the most common symptom. Treatment is available, up to and including surgery.
Hip Labral Tear
A labrum is a rim of cartilage in your hips and shoulders. It supports your joints and helps keep them stable. Trauma like being in a car accident or playing contact sports can contribute to a torn labrum, as can repetitive motions like long-distance running. Some people do not experience symptoms with a torn labrum, but others have pain and stiffness in and around the joint. A feeling as if something is catching or clicking in your hip could also be a sign of a torn labrum.
Stress Fracture
While the name “stress fracture” inspires fear, the injury itself is easy to treat when it’s noticed soon after it occurs. Stress fractures can occur anywhere, but they are common in the hips of people who perform repetitive high-impact activities. Hip pain that is worse with activity is the most common symptom. If you think you have a stress fracture, contact your doctor immediately. Without treatment, a stress fracture can worsen and become a full break.
Dislocation
If you are experiencing hip pain after some sort of trauma, like a car accident, you may have dislocated your hip. Hip dislocations are usually noticed quickly because of the situations in which they occur. However, if you are experiencing swelling or pain or your hip looks out of place, contact your doctor immediately.
Contact Us Today
Because treatment for most causes of hip pain is available, it is crucial to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. You do not have to live with the pain or discomfort. If you are experiencing hip pain, contact Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP today.
