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Hip pain is usually caused due to either of the many forms of arthritis and conditions related to it. These conditions affect the muscles, joints and bones and can lead to problems such as swelling, stiffness and pain in the hip joint. More often, the cause is osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis symptoms vary from one person to the other, but in cases where it affects the hip, the typical causes are:

  • Damage to the cartilage
  • Mild inflammation of the hip joint and surrounding tissues
  • Bony growths developing around the hip joint edges

These lead to stiffness, pain and difficulty in performing certain activities. Although at present no cure is available for eliminating this type of hip joint pain, the symptoms can be eased with several treatments. Surgery is often not necessary.

Hip Pain

 

Other problems that cause hip pain include:

  • When abnormally shaped bones of the hip rub together, they cause pain. This condition is known as femoroacetabular impingement.
  • When a tear occurs in the cartilage ring that surrounds the hip joint socket it, causes a condition termed as hip labral tear leading to pain.
  • Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip joint is either wrongly shaped or the position of the hip socket is incorrectly positioned and hence cannot cover the leg bone or support it completely. It leads to hip joint pain.
  • Injury to hip due to fall or an accident can lead to hip fracture causing hip joint pain. Such incidences are more common among older people having weaker bones.
  • An infection in the bone or the joint of the hip can cause osteomyelitis or septic arthritis. Mostly such a pain is accompanied by fever and severe pain in the hip.
  • In osteneocrosis, the blood flow to the hip joint is reduced causing breakage of bones and hip pain.
  • The pain is also caused due to swelling and inflammation on the bursa or the fluid-filled sac located on your hip. This condition is known as bursitis.
  • Hamstring injury
  • Inflammation in the thigh ligament

When Should You Approach the GP?

You must approach the doctor if rest and over-the- counter medications like painkillers are not helping manage the hip pain. You must see the doctor if:

  • The hip is paining even after resting for more than a week at home.
  • If you have a rash or a fever.
  • If you have sickle cell anemia.
  • If both your joints and hips are in pain.
  • Hospitalization may be required for hip pain caused due to fall, accident, deformity, bleeding and bruises.

Managing Hip Pain At Home

If you do not need to consult the doctor immediately, try managing the pain at home.

  • If you are overweight losing few pounds can relieve strain on the hips and may lessen the pain
  • Avoid activities that can increase the pain such as running down the hills or trekking
  • Wear flat shoes
  • Avoid standing for a long time
  • Consult a physiotherapist to learn some muscle-strengthening exercises?

 

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