Hip pain

HIP PAIN

Hip pain is a common complaint that can be caused by a wide variety of problems. The precise location of hip pain can provide clues about the underlying cause.

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

Hip pain can sometimes be caused by diseases and conditions in other areas of the body, such as the lower back. This type of pain is called referred pain.

Hip pain can have many different causes. Depending on the cause, you may feel pain in different areas of the hip, such as the inside of the hip or groin, and the outside of the hip or buttock area.

Common causes of hip pain

These are some of the conditions that often cause hip pain:

Osteoarthritis. It is one of the most common causes of hip pain, especially in older people. With osteoarthritis, either an injury or normal wear and tear damages the cartilage that cushions your hip bones, and that lack of cushioning causes pain and stiffness. You may also have a reduced range of motion in your hip. 

Hip fractures. As you age, your bones can become weak and brittle, making them more likely to break during a fall. A hip fracture can be caused by this type of injury or by repetitive stress. You can get a stress fracture when pressure is repeatedly placed on the bone, such as during sports. Stress fractures are common among athletes. 

Bursitis. Bursae are sacs of liquid found between tissues such as bone, muscles, and tendons (which connect muscles to bones). Bursae ease the friction from these tissues rubbing together. When bursae get inflamed, they can cause pain. This usually happens because of repetitive activities that overwork or irritate the hip joint. 

Tendinitis. Tendons are the thick bands of tissue that attach bones to muscles. Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of the tendons. It's usually caused by repetitive 

Muscle or tendon strain. Repeated activities can put strain on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the hips. When they become inflamed due to overuse, they can cause pain and prevent the hip from working normally. One example is a strain in the hip flexor, a muscle where your thigh meets your hip. 

Hip labral tear. This is a rip in the ring of cartilage (called the labrum) that follows the outside rim of your hip joint socket. Your labrum cushions your hip joint and acts like a rubber seal or gasket to help hold the ball at the top of your thighbone securely within your hip socket. Athletes and people who perform repetitive twisting movements are at higher risk of developing this problem. 

Sciatica. Your sciatic nerve runs through your buttock and hip on each side. Sciatica, sometimes called a pinched nerve, is when the nerve is injured or irritated, and it can cause hip pain.