Hip PainTalking about Hip Pain
Making a diagnosis of the cause of hip pain begins with an assessment of the pain experienced by the patient. In other words, where does it hurt and when does it hurt? The pain may occur only after strenuous physical activities or may be independent of such activities. We may experience the pain only in the morning as we arise and take our first steps, or it may be continuous. It may also be accompanied by stiffness, instability and a limited range of motion.
A distinction is made between acute pain that occurs from time to time and chronic pain that persists for months.
Where does it hurt?
Pain that originates in the hip is typically felt in the groin, which is the area between the lower abdomen and the inner part of the thigh. This pain may also radiate down into one or both of the legs. Conversely, the pain may actually originate in the lumbar spine and radiate into the area of the hip, a case of referred pain.
In general, it is easy to become confused about the exact source of the pain. This is because the pain may actually arise from structures surrounding the hip. For instance, the pain may stem from inflammation in the muscles or the bursa near the hips and not the hip joint itself.
In rare cases, tumors and certain infectious diseases may lead to hip pain.
Causes
The most common cause of hip pain is wear and tear in the joint. As we age, the healthy cartilage in our joints begins to break down. In many individuals, this degenerative process ultimately destroys the cartilage that lines the hip joints and forms both a cushion and a gliding surface between the bones. This results in considerable pain as the bones of the joint become impacted.
This degenerative disorder in question is known as osteoarthritis. While osteoarthritis usually creates problems for older individuals - who have quite simply been exposed to more wear and tear - it can also progress rapidly in younger individuals.
In addition to the age-related or cumulative wear and tear mentioned above, injuries, congenital structural defects, and metabolic diseases can contribute to the development osteoarthritis in the hips.
Systemic joint inflammation, as is seen, for instance, when rheumatic processes or chronic arthritis affect multiple joints in the body, may also be the cause of hip pain.
When to Seek Medical Care
In the case of severe, recurring or chronic pain, it is essential to consult a specialist who can determine the cause of the pain. Opting instead to wait and see is not advisable because of the serious risks involved. If left untreated, many of the disorders that lead to hip pain can cause irreversible damage.
Treatment is primarily a matter of alleviating the pain and protecting the joint. Excellent patient outcomes can often be achieved using medication and various forms of physical therapy.
