Hip problems make daily activities like simply walking, standing and bathing difficult and painful. Hip pain is often felt in the groin or on the outside of the hip directly where the joint is located.
Causes:
Most of the common causes of hip pain are due to wear and tear and overuse. This means that most hip problems are the result of repetitive movements we do on a daily basis. . If these issues are not addressed immediately the pain may continue to get worse and prevent you from participating in your weekend golf game, picking up your child or simply walking up and down the stairs.
Because this joint is necessary for weight bearing activities like standing, walking and running, it can be a source of pain among all ages – not just the older population. It’s essential to address any hip pain or discomfort as soon as possible.
It’s also important to be able to describe exactly where your pain is located. This helps confirm that your hip is actually the problem. It’s not uncommon to hear someone say ‘my hip hurts’ and then find out they are actually having a back-related problem. Symptoms located in the upper buttocks or upper thigh may be due to a lower back issue.
****Physical therapy can help improve all of the following with by targeting specific stretching and strengthening exercises and manual therapy:****
- Hip flexibility
- Hip joint mobility
- Hip range of motion
- Hip strength
So what are the three most common causes of hip pain?
- Arthritis: Chronic hip pain is often due to arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis. This is the ‘wear and tear’ kind of pain that affects many people as they age. The ball and socket joint in the hip starts to wear out. Arthritis pain is often felt in the front of your thigh or in the groin, because of stiffness or swelling in the joint. As the joint continues to degenerate or ‘wear away’ many individuals are faced with the option of undergoing total hip replacements.
- Hip fractures: Hip fractures are most commonly the result of a traumatic event such as a fall. In many cases, hip fractures require surgery. Fractures can also be common among older women because they often have decreased bone density (osteoporosis). Symptoms of a hip fracture include the inability to lift or pull weight on the injured side.
- Tendinitis and bursitis: ‘Itis’ refers to inflammation. There are many tendons that attach muscles to the hip. These can become inflamed when they are overused. Repetitive and strenuous activity such as running can result in types of hip tendonitis like IT Band Syndrome. ‘Bursitis’ refers to an inflamed bursa. The bursa is the fluid-filled sack that can be found on the bony surfaces and act as a cushion. When you perform activities that require repetitive hip movements, the bursa can become irritated and this results in pain.
If your are having trouble standing, walking, or are experiencing pain, CALL 703-450-4300 Loudoun Sports Therapy Center TODAY and schedule your evaluation. The Physical Therapists here will help restore your full function and get you back to your normal lifestyle.
CLICK HERE for more on how physical therapy can help you.
