Without a completely functional hipbone, standing, walking, running, or even dancing could be difficult. So, when you suffer from chronic hip pain and certain everyday activities suddenly become troublesome, it might feel like your life is at a standstill.
Unfortunately, hip pain is hard to self-diagnose as there are numerous causes of hip pain. Luckily, Dallas Mohammed Shaikh MD PA, can help by offering an accurate diagnosis and care plan. Meanwhile, here are some of the most common causes of hip pain you should know.
- Core Muscle Injury
If you experience discomfort in your groin, it may be due to a core muscle injury like a tear or strain of muscles or other soft tissues in your lower abdomen. This injury is prevalent in persons who engage in sporting activities, particularly those involving extreme turning and twisting.
Unlike pro athletes, core muscle injuries are common in weekend warriors because they are not as athletically conditioned as they should be. Resting the injured muscles for several weeks could help. You might also have to repair the torn muscle through surgery.
- Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition that makes your joints swollen and stiff because of the breakdown of cartilage and inflammation, resulting in deformity and pain. Being highly active, such as participating in high-impact sports or running marathons, raises your risk of osteoarthritis.
Coupled with obesity, traumatic injury, and aging, the pain could become disabling. Determining the underlying cause of your osteoarthritis is the best way to establish an effective care plan.
- Bursitis
Bursitis may be to blame if it aches on the outside of your hip, buttocks, and/or thigh. Bursitis is the swelling of the pillow-like fluid sacs that keep muscles and tendons rubbing directly against the bone.
While climbing stairs or walking for prolonged periods can worsen bursitis, this condition is usually not associated with activity-related discomfort. Bursitis is more common as you age. If RICE therapy fails, your specialist may suggest cortisone injections to alleviate the swelling.
- Labral Tears
The labrum is a cartilage ring surrounding the hip pocket that ensures the ball of your thigh bone remains in position. Once the labrum tears, it causes discomfort in the groin area or hip and restricts motion, creating a sensation that the hip is clicking, locking, or catching.
A labral tear is common in persons with anatomic anomalies that render their hips overly shallow or individuals with previous hip injuries. The discomfort from these labral tears often does not subside, so a professional consultation is necessary.
- Tendonitis
Tendons are the fibrous structure necessary for joining the muscles to the bone. Once the tendons in your hip become irritated, swollen, or inflamed, they can result in significant discomfort. Tendonitis can develop in any of the tendons surrounding the hip joint.
Common risk factors for tendonitis are overuse or injury of the tendons, which explains tendonitis is common in athletes. Tendonitis can also develop as you age due to the tendons gradually losing elasticity. Whatever the case, your specialist should provide the right solution.
Numerous conditions can cause hip pain. Some conditions are more severe than others. Therefore, it is crucial not to self-diagnose and instead seek professional treatment, especially if you experience chronic pain that limits your everyday activities.
The milder causes of hip pain are treatable with conservative treatments like heat and cold therapy, pain medications, physical therapy, and more. However, if your hip pain is chronic or ongoing, you can explore interventional treatments such as epidural steroid injections.
