While most people don’t spend much time thinking about their hips, pain in that area can leave you sidelined for extended periods of time. This is because the hip area is home to large muscle groups that provide stability and the ability to move the legs.
The 8 Most Common Causes of Hip Pain
1. Bursitis
Joints in the body have fluid-filled sacs called bursa that serve as cushions between the bones and muscles. In the hip, the purpose is to allow the joint to glide smoothly when you walk, run, sit, and stand. These sacs can become inflamed from trauma or overuse. It happens most often in people whose jobs require repetitive motions, such as people who work manual labor or play sports. When bursitis occurs in the hip, pain can radiate from the hip to the buttocks and groin, and down into the thigh. The pain can make it difficult to lie on the affected side of the body. As a result, it interrupts sleep.
2. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage between your joints to break down, resulting in pain and a limited range of motion. A peculiar trait of this condition is that one can actually feel the hip bones rubbing or grating against each other with movement. There may be swelling and tenderness in the hip. It’s more likely to occur in senior adults, people who are overweight or obese, or who have suffered an injury to the joint.
3. Tendonitis
Tendons are fibrous tissues that connect muscle to bone. Hip tendonitis usually occurs from additional stress on the hip. This could happen after suddenly increasing the intensity or frequency of exercise, instead of acclimating the body to the extra workout. Symptoms include stiffness after long periods of inactivity (such as getting out of bed in the morning or getting up from a chair after sitting for hours).
4. Labral Tear
The labrum is the cartilage in the hip sockets. It can become torn from injury (often, sports-related) or advanced age. If the tear is minor, there may not be any symptoms; but a more serious injury will result in the hip “locking” with movement, as well as hip pain that radiates to the groin.
5. Snapping Hip Syndrome
This condition is easier to recognize because it causes a snapping sensation and sound with hip movements, such as:
- Walking
- Standing up
- Sitting down
- Getting out of bed
In athletes, it can interfere with performance.
6. Stress Fracture
These are hairline fractures in the femoral neck that occur due to repetitive movements. While most people tend to think of the elderly with the mention of hip fractures, they can actually happen at any age. Many patients are involved in high-impact sports, long-distance running, or military training.
7. Osteonecrosis
There are certain circumstances that can cut off the blood supply to the bones in your hip, resulting in cells inside the bone dying.
Risk factors include:
- Hip dislocation
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Certain medical conditions (such as lupus, sickle cell disease, or Gaucher’s Disease)
Symptoms include:
- Pain
- Throbbing
- Difficulty bearing weight on the hip
8. Sedentary Lifestyle
Sitting for extended periods of time causes hip flexors to tighten and shorten. Hip flexors are the muscles in the front of the hip that allow one to lift the thighs. If the flexors are tightened, they will eventually cause weakness and imbalance in the hip.
Request an Appointment at The Orthopedic Clinic Today
At The Orthopedic Clinic, we want you to live your life in full motion. If you’re experiencing hip pain, let us help you. We’ll tailor a treatment plan that’s best for your lifestyle and get you back to doing the things you love.
Call us at (386) 255-4596 to schedule an appointment.