Simple everyday Information on the Causes of Hip Pain
Just as hip pain ranges in severity from mild to chronic, the causes of hip pain are varied. Diagnosing hip pain can be difficult. If you are suffering from arthritic hip pain or sudden unexplained hip pain and are wondering or worried about what is behind it, this article aims to give you a rundown of the most common causes of pain in the hip area.
INJURY
Fractures and strains are the most common causes of pain resulting from injury. A fall or trauma to the body, not necessarily to the hip itself, can result in excess strain being put on the hip. A fracture is common among those suffering from osteoporosis, especially common among the elderly, but stress fractures may be caused by sports or physical activities that the body is unaccustomed to or unfit for. Pain caused by a fracture will usually be obvious as it occurs suddenly and is sharp both when moving and resting. Also, the joint may swell and redden.
Strains usually result from pressure being put on the hip through sport or activity where the muscle rather than the bone, is damaged by being pulled or twisted. Tiny tears in the muscle result in inflammation and varying degrees of pain. The pain may worsen depending on which way the muscle is used so strain in the lower back or groin may be referred to as the hip area depending on how the body is moved.
Pregnancy can be one of the major causes of hip pain in women and should be dealt with by medical professionals to determine if the hip pain is simply due to hormonal changes or if there are problems with the pelvic area.
BURSITIS
Hip Bursa pain is very common. The Bursa is a fluid filled sac that cushions the joint and helps it move without friction. Bursitis is when the bursa in a joint, muscle or tendon becomes inflamed. The amount of pain resulting from this inflammation depends on many factors; which bursa is inflamed and how severe the inflammation is as well as how much the affected area is being used. Overuse and repetitive movement is one of the major causes of bursitis and therefore the resulting pain is usually experienced when moving or when the joint receives pressure.
TENDONITIS
Tendons are bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones. While Bursitis is when a bursa becomes inflamed, Tendonitis is when a tendon becomes inflamed and like bursitis, it is often caused by overuse. It is difficult to tell when you are experiencing pain, whether the discomfort is due to the muscle, the bone, or the tendon. Tendon pain is usually worse when the muscles in the area are flexed and there is often swelling or inflammation which is tender to the touch.
ARTHRITIS
Arthritis is a term used to cover a wide range of conditions. The most common type of arthritic hip pain is Osteoarthritis. As the prefix "Osteo" suggests, this is arthritis that affects the bone. The bone becomes exposed when cartilage is worn away through wear and tear of the joint. The pain associated with osteoarthritis is often worse in certain types of weather, for example, pain may worsen in cold damp weather and may come and go throughout the year. Stiffness and limping are common symptoms of this type of pain.