Hip pain: symptoms, causes, what drugs will work?

Few people pay attention to how good it is to be able to walk, sit and bend without hindrance. And that's because we don't usually think about the condition of our hip joints. Until they start to hurt. 

And once they start, you suddenly realise how many normal activities involve the hips. And how much you want their discomfort to subside. That's why, below, we'll look at the most common causes of hip pain and possible treatments.

The most common causes of hip pain are the following.

See also:

• Joint pain
• Knee pain
• Gonarthrosis
• Knee popping
• Tennis elbow
• Golfer's elbow
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
.
• Home remedies for knee pain
• Grandma's ways for joints

Symptoms associated with hip pain

Pain in the hip area may accompany you when walking, standing up or bending down. If you experience pain in your groin that radiates down your leg, this may indicate hip diseaseand. 

Consider whether the pain is accompanied by:

• reduced mobility in the joint,
.
• stiffness of the joint,
.
• difficulty in lifting the leg,
.

.

Another important symptom is knee pain in the other leg. E.g. when there is a problem with the right hip, the left knee hurts. This is caused by the fact that when there is a problem with the hip, the patient changes their gait to one that puts more strain on the left knee to cope with the pain on the right side.

. .

.

It is important that you monitor whether the pain persists or increases with movement or rest. Check if you see a change in the range of motion of the painful hip joint compared to the other.

When does it hurt the most?

.

With hip pain, it is best to see an orthopaedic surgeon. The doctor will be able to most accurately diagnose its cause and implement effective treatment. Before visiting the clinic, it is a good idea to think about the specifics of your pain - this will help the specialist make a diagnosis.

To make the orthopaedist's task easier, answer the following questions:

.
• How long have I been experiencing pain?
• Have I recently suffered any injury or fall?
.
• If so, are there problems using the limb with full weight bearing?
.
• Whether the pain accompanies me during the day or intensifies at night?
.
• Where exactly does my hip hurt?
• Does the pain radiate?
.
• Does the pain increase with walking or other activities?
.
• Do I have other symptoms in addition to the pain, such as problems moving my leg?
.

Causes of hip pain

.

The causes of hip pain can be attributed to a variety of factors. The most common of these include injuries - in younger people and degenerative changes - in olderand.

Hip joint injuries

.

The hip joint is susceptible to many injuries, with a variety of causes and consequences. Some of the most common of these include strains, sprains, contusion injuries and fracturesand.

Ligament injuries account for a significant proportion of these, particularly in athletes training outdoors. And in terms of fractures, one of the most common hip fractures is a transtibial fracture of the femur or femoral neckand.

often these fractures are the result of progressive osteoporosis, making older women particularly vulnerable. It is dangerous and can even be life-threatening as it results in high blood lossand.

.

It is possible to lose almost 2 litres of blood from a broken femur, and the average person has 5 litres of blood in their body.

. .

.

Elderly people after this type of fracture are often unable to stand on their feet and become recumbent patients. This, in turn, leads to overexertion of the cardiovascular system - without the help of the leg muscles, the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently throughout the body. And this is precisely what is the most common fatal complication of transtibial fracturesand.

.

Other common causes of death include pulmonary embolism caused by free fat groupings escaping from the fractured bone and pneumonia. Patients with hip fractures are often elderly and are more likely to become ill, and there is an abundance of bacteria that will readily settle in the lungs.

. .

.

Hip arthritis

.

Osteoarthritis of the hip (coxarthrosis) can lead to significant pain and impairment of hip function, often requiring hip replacement surgeryand. 

.

Additionally, defects such as hip dysplasia have been identified as significant contributors to coxarthrosis, highlighting the multifactorial nature of hip disorders .

Treatment of hip pain

.

Methods of treatment for hip pain will depend on the cause. If your hip hurts as a result of strain, you will probably only need rest and - possibly - ointments, as well as oral medicines with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effectsand. Remember, however, not to take these on your own, but to consult your doctor in this regard.

If there is damage to the structures of the hip joint, physiotherapy or even surgery may also be necessary. In extreme cases, where the pain is very severe and the function of the joint severely limited, due to joint destruction, it is possible to replace the hip with a hip replacementand.

Exercises for hip pain

.

What exercises to do for hip pain will depend on the cause of the pain. Avoid prolonged sitting and ensure correct posture. Stretching the hip muscles, such as forward bends, will help to improve flexibility and reduce discomfort.

For arthritis, do regular exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip joint, such as lifting the straight leg in lateral recumbency. Avoid exercises that put stress on the joint, such as squats, especially with weights. Aerobic exercise, such as swimming or cycling, can also improve your range of motion and will support your fitness in the process.

But it is best if a physiotherapist fits you with the right set of exercises. The specialist will also be able to select other treatments for you that may be helpful in controlling pain and improving mobility of the hip joint.

The best thing to do is to have a physiotherapist fit you with the right set of exercises.

See also:

.
• Glucosamine for joints
.

Summary

.
.
• Pain in the hip joint can occur with movement as well as at rest.
• Pain in the hip joint can occur with movement as well as at rest.
• Associated symptoms, which should always alert you, are stiffness in the joint and limited mobility of the limb.
• Associated symptoms, which should always alert you, are stiffness in the joint and limited mobility of the limb.
• Hip pain can result from either osteoarthritis or trauma.
.
• Medicine has a whole range of methods to treat hip pain - from pharmacotherapy to physiotherapy to surgery.
.
• To improve the condition of your hips, you can do simple exercises geared towards strengthening the muscles around the joints.
.

FAQ

.

.

How does the hip hurt?

.

Hip pain can take many forms. Some patients experience a stabbing pain, others a burning or pulling sensation, still others complain of a sensation similar to a sudden current passing through the joint and leg. Whichever type of pain you are experiencing, it is always a good idea to seek help from an orthopaedic surgeon.

.

Which antibiotic for hip arthritis?

.

Hip arthritis is most often not caused by bacteria and the use of an antibiotic is not warranted. However, if the inflammation happens to be bacterial, then an antibiotic is usually selected on the basis of a culture. In such cases, Dalacin is usually used as a first-line antibiotic.

.

Remember never to take antibiotics on your own - they should always be prescribed by your doctor.

.

How long does inflammation of the hip joint last?

.

Inflammation of the hip joint can last from a few days to several weeks. In some cases, the condition can become recurrent, leading to chronic inflammation. It is important to monitor the symptoms, follow the recommended treatment, and take care of the joint. Acute infection may be short-lived, but chronic inflammation may persist for months. Early treatment reduces the risk of complications and improves quality of life.

.

Which doctor to go to with hip pain?

.

For pain and other problems with the hip joint, it is best to go to an orthopaedic surgeon. This doctor treats both injuries and diseases of the joints. If the cause of your hip pain is sciatica, you may be referred to a neurologist, and if you are found to be suffering from a rheumatic disease, to a rheumatologist.

.

Can hip pain be from the spine?

.

Yes, hips can hurt from the spine. With poor posture, overload is created in the spine, which affects how your whole body aligns. This can result in hip pain. Problems with the lumbar spine usually lead to these complaints.

.

Do diseased joints like the heat?

.

It depends. If the pain is caused by inflammation (e.g. due to an injury), cold compresses are recommended. Warming up in such a case can cause the ailment to worsen. Heat is good for pains caused by overstretched muscles - it helps to relax them. Warming up is most commonly used for back pain.

.

.

What causes the most damage to the hip joints?

.

The hip joints in particular do not like prolonged sitting. They can also be harmed by overloading. This can happen if you decide to exercise very intensively, e.g. with heavy loads, without adequate preparation. Physical activity is a guarantee of health for your joints - not only your hip joints - but it should be adapted to your current condition and capabilities.

.
.

Resources

.

.

See all

.

Netter's Atlas of Orthopaedic Anatomy. (n.d.). PZWL Medical Bookshop. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from https://pzwl.pl/Atlas-anatomii-ortopedycznej-Nettera,5041703,p.html

Campbell Orthopaedic Surgery Volume 1, S. Terry Canale, James H. Beaty. (n.d.). MediPage Medical Publishing. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from https://medipage.pl/pl/p/Campbell-Ortopedia-Operacyjna-TOM-1%2C-S.-Terry-Canale%2C-James-H.-Beaty/2774

Surgical treatment in osteoarthritis. Schnettler, Steinau. (n.d.). MediPage Medical Publishing. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from https://medipage.pl/pl/p/Leczenie-chirurgiczne-w-zapaleniach-kosci-i-stawow.-Schnettler%2C-Steinau/1991

Orthopaedics and Traumatology Volume 1-2. (n.d.). PZWL Medical Bookshop. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from https://pzwl.pl/Ortopedia-i-traumatologia-Tom-1-2,4964653,p.html

Book for doctors specialising in orthopaedics and traumatology of the musculoskeletal system-Andrzej Nowakowski,Łukasz Matuszewski,Marek Synder,Tomasz Mazurek. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2023, from https://www.medicon.pl/podrecznik-dla-doctors-specialising-in-orthopaedics-and-traumatology-motor-access/32341?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA98WrBhAYEiwA2WvhOi5tRhqM4RWQnJul5WXDlcJg99iCzfC-CW45kTG0oRxccPpaK3YveRoCqxoQAvD_BwE

Traumatology of the musculoskeletal system. (n.d.). PZWL Medical Bookshop. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from https://pzwl.pl/Traumatologia-ukladu-ruchu,4985755,p.html

.