By Chris Byers, PT, Advanced Rehab and Sports Medicine
Pain in the hip joints can be one of the most debilitating types of pain. Hip pain typically limits ability to walk, climb stairs, walk on the bare ground, or even stand. The pain can range from sharp pain in the joint with weight bearing to aching pain in the back, thigh, and groin. Hip pain can also actually be referred from the back. Typically the pain is worse with activity and better with rest. However, rest and favoring the painful hip can lead to other problems such as loss of flexibility and a change in the way you walk. Family and friends often notice irritability and a decrease in activity in the person with hip pain.
Causes and Symptoms
Pain in the hip area or joint can be related to several causes:
- Osteoarthritis: Pain symptoms in the anterior thigh or groin that are typically worse after activity, in the morning, or after sitting or standing for prolonged period of time. Loss of motion that gradually gets worse and limits activity.
- Bursitis: Pain to pressure around the hip joint and feels warm and irritated. Also typically feels stiff with movement of the hip and can have pain down the lateral thigh.
- Hip labral tear: The labrum is the cartilage ring around the hip socket, which helps to hold the hipbone in the socket. Tears are typically trauma-induced as in a fall, car accident, or sports injury. Symptoms include popping or clicking in the hip joint as well as stiffness and pain in the hip and groin. Pain and stiffness restrict activity.
- Fractures: Pain can also be caused by fractures in the ball or socket of the joint or in the neck of the femur. People who fall and have sudden onset of pain or pain that progressively worsens in the hip after a fall should see their doctor.
Potential Outcomes
Having hip pain is very debilitating and should be addressed sooner rather than later. All of the above common causes of hip pain will most likely worsen with time. Getting care as soon as the symptoms are noticed limits potential damage to the joint and improves the chance for a quicker recovery.
Treatment
After your physician has determined the cause of your hip pain, physical therapy is commonly recommended. We use techniques to increase flexibility to improve mechanics of the joint. Once the flexibility is restored, strengthening of the hip is achieved. This gives the hip better stability and better functional movement in walking and in activities such as bending over or squatting.
As with most joint problems, flexibility is typically lacking. Prevention of these hip problems is possible with stretching and keeping the joint limber. Take five minutes a day to stretch your knees and hips and you will quickly feel positive improvements in your mobility and a decrease in stiffness and discomfort. Don’t let pain keep you from being active. Spring is here — you want to enjoy it!
For more information, you may contact Advanced Rehab & Sports Medicine at 309-664-9104 or www.advrehab.com. Their office is located at 135 N. Williamsburg Dr. in Bloomington. Free assessments are offered within 24 hours of contact for patients of all ages.
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