Hip pain: symptoms, causes, medications, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is hip pain?

Hip pain is a condition of injury to the hip. This condition is a common complaint that can be caused by a variety of problems. The exact location of your hip pain can provide clues about the underlying cause.

The hip is the joint where the hip and leg (femur) meet. Tendons are fibrous tissues that connect muscles and bones. Ligaments are joined to bone (or cartilage). Hip pain refers to pain that affects all parts of the body.

Problems in the hip joint itself are likely to cause pain on the inside of your hip or groin. Hip pain on the outside of your hip, upper thigh, or outer buttock is usually caused by problems with the ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues that surround your hip joint.

How common is this condition?

Hip pain is a common condition. It affects everyone of all ages and genders, especially those who frequently work hard or play sports, and the elderly are more prone to developing this condition.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of hip pain?

Hip pain symptoms depend on the cause. Osteoarthrisis can cause mild pain with just exertion. Sudden injuries, fractures, and tumors can cause severe pain when walking, make the hip look deformed, and cause bruising in the hip area.

There may be some signs or symptoms not listed above. If you are concerned about the symptoms, please consult your doctor.

When should you see a doctor?

If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above or have any questions, please consult your doctor. You should see your doctor if you:

• Experiencing side effects of drugs
• Have questions about pain medication that can be obtained from a doctor's prescription
• Medicines and other medications can't help with pain
• Requires a physical therapy reference for exercise.

Cause

What causes hip pain?

Several conditions or injuries can cause low back pain. Reporting from Healthline, here are the causes:

Arthritis

The most common long-term cause of this condition is arthritis. Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and soft joints, and difficulty walking.

Web MD mentions inflammation of the hip joint and damage to the cartilage that cushions your hip bones. The pain was steadily getting worse.

Trochanteric bursitis

Another possible cause of hip pain is trochanteric bursitis. This condition occurs when the bursa (fluid-filled bag near the hip joint) becomes inflamed.

A number of factors can cause trochanteric bursitis, including hip injuries, and frequent joint or posture problems.

Hip fracture

Hip fractures are common in the elderly and in those with osteoporosis, which is a weakening of the bones due to age or other factors.

A hip fracture causes sudden and very severe pain. You need immediate medical attention.

Hip fractures usually require surgery to repair. You will most likely need to undergo physical therapy to recover.

Causes that are not common

There are other, less common conditions that can also be the cause of this condition. These include hip fracture syndrome and osteonecrosis, or avascular necrosis.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for this condition?

Some of the factors that increase your risk of developing hip pain are:

• Have had an injury or fracture in the hip
• Have a history of osteoarthitis, rheumatism, and other joint inflammation
• Doing sports that involve repetitive movements for a long time, such as running, cycling, and so on
• Experiencing obesity, aka excess body weight
• Is pregnant
• Wear high heels for a long time

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the treatment options for hip pain?

For healthy people when hip pain is due to activity or injury, depending on the severity, hip pain can go away on its own and only use pain relievers.

In cases of prolonged hip pain, treatment depends on the cause. If the cause is osteoarthritis, your doctor may prescribe acetaminophen or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

If the cause is bursitis or tendinitis, your doctor can prescribe NSAIDs, plus physical therapy or both.

Physical therapy usually consists of using internal warmers, ultrasound or both. For severe bursitis, doctors may inject a drug containing steroids (a strong anti-inflammatory drug) into the bursa.

More serious causes of pain such as fractures or severe joint pain may require surgery.

What are the most common tests for this condition?

Your doctor makes a diagnosis taken from your medical history and performs a physical exam. X-rays of the joints may also be done.

For pain related to conditions such as arthritis, your doctor will ask you several questions, such as:

• Did the pain get worse in one day?
• Has the pain affected your ability to walk?
• When did your symptoms first appear?

The doctor can also do a blood test to see if the pain is due to a disease with similar symptoms. An MRI may be done if the doctor needs clearer images of the bones and surrounding structures.

Home remedies

What are some of the home remedies that help with hip pain?

You may not need to see a doctor if the pain is not too severe. You can try easy ways to deal with hip pain, namely:

• Rest. Avoid bending over and over and putting direct pressure on the hips. Try not to sleep on the side that hurts and avoid prolonged sitting.
• Painkiller. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help relieve your hip pain.
• Use ice or heat. Use an ice cube wrapped in a towel to apply a cool compress to your hips. You can also take a warm bath to prepare your muscles for stretching exercises that can reduce pain.

If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor to find out the best solution for you.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.