Human hip joints are subjected to great pressure. Walking, lifting and carrying heavy objects, jumping, running, bending, other physical exercises and even being overweight all put pressure on the musculoskeletal system. Hip pain reduces function, hinders the ability to move freely and causes suffering for the patient not only when moving but also when resting. It is very important not to ignore pain and at the first unpleasant symptoms, immediately seek help from qualified doctors. Orthopedists, traumatologists, surgeons, neurologists, and several other specialists work together to evaluate symptoms, search for the cause, and treat pain in the hip joint.
Cause of pain
There are a large number of diseases and medical conditions that can be accompanied by pain. Pain in the left or right hip joint can be caused by injuries, inflammatory and infectious pathologies, various degenerative processes, problems in the supply of useful minerals to bone tissue, etc. v.
Injuries to the soft tissue and bone structures of the hip are the most common cause of discomfort. Including:
- bruises;
- penetrating wound;
- femoral neck fracture;
- hip dislocation;
- Fractures of the acetabulum and upper part of the femur (called pertrochanteric fractures).
Among the causes of trauma, damage to the ligamentous apparatus (sprain, tear, rupture) is less common. Usually, they are due to severe injuries that the patient sustains due to accidents, prolonged exposure to rubble, or from performing excessive stunts.
Infectious, inflammatory, and degenerative diseases that can cause hip pain include:
- various forms of arthritis (infectious, aseptic, rheumatic);
- panarthritis – suppurative inflammation of the entire hip joint;
- osteomyelitis;
- tuberculosis of the hip joint;
- coxarthrosis and other types of joint diseases;
- bursitis;
- Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, including Perthes disease;
- enchondroma;
- trochanteritis.
Other pathological factors include:
- Congenital defects in the development of the hip joint (dysplasia, congenital hip dislocation, shortening of the limbs);
- Different tumors of malignant and benign nature;
- neuropathy of the sciatic nerve;
- Osteoarthritis, scoliosis, intervertebral hernia and other diseases of the spine.
Hip pain when walking or lying down may indicate excessive stress on the musculoskeletal system. Discomfort may occur after strength training, heavy lifting, or prolonged walking or standing. Risk groups include athletes, fans of extreme sports, porters, teachers, lecturers, salesmen, postmen, etc. v.
Other causes of severe pain in the hip joint when walking and at rest may be:
- being overweight, which significantly increases pressure on joints;
- Postural disorders;
- inappropriate use of certain drugs;
- diabetes;
- neuropsychiatric disorders.
The largest number of patients with pain of varying intensity in this area are people over 50 years old. This is explained by age-related changes in the tissues around the joint and the joint itself. It has been observed that women experience pain more often than men.
Types and symptoms of hip pain
The main manifestation is discomfort in the joint area of various types: sharp, fluctuating, aching, dull, cutting, etc. v. The location and intensity of the pain syndrome depends on the initial disease and the patient's health characteristics (presence of accompanying pathologies, excess weight, risk factors). Often, the pain syndrome spreads to surrounding structures, spreading to the limbs, sacral and coccygeal regions and lower back.
Symptoms that may accompany hip pain include:
- tissue swelling in the joint area;
- crunching, clicking and other sounds when moving;
- limited mobility;
- numbness, decreased sensitivity in the legs;
- feeling of heat and pulsation in the damaged area;
- limping, dragging legs;
- limb shortening;
- bruising;
- body temperature increases.
Pain in the hip joint, spreading to the lower back, legs, groin and sacrum, can be a sign of ankylosing spondylitis. This disease is also accompanied by stiffness when moving, discomfort in the knees and periodic low back pain. Symmetrical pain in the hip area, combined with conjunctivitis and damage to the genitourinary system, may be a sign of Reiter's syndrome.
The clinical picture is determined by the primary disease or injury. In mild cases, the patient has limited mobility but the ability to support the leg remains. With severe bruises, fractures, dislocations and severe forms of infectious and inflammatory diseases, support for the affected leg is impossible, the patient can move only with the help of asecondary points or complete inability to walk.
Diagnose
To accurately determine the cause of pain, other symptoms of the primary disease/injury, and select an effective treatment regimen, a comprehensive examination will be performed.
First of all, a physical examination is performed. The doctor evaluates the external signs of pathology, palpates the joint area, asks detailed questions about the nature of the complaint, time and circumstances of its occurrence, etc. v. The specialist also needs to know about previous surgical interventions and injuries, existing chronic diseases (including those not directly related to the musculoskeletal system), lifestyle, etc. v.
Comprehensive objective testing includes:
- hip ultrasound examination (ultrasound);
- X-ray of the pelvis in two views;
- magnetic resonance or computed tomography (as indicated);
- joint perforation;
- diagnostic endoscopy;
- Laboratory tests (general clinical blood and urine tests, biochemistry, rheumatoid factor analysis, tumor markers, etc. ).
The exact list of procedures is determined by the doctor based on medical history, characteristics of the patient's current condition and expected diagnosis.
Treat hip pain
The strategy of medical care depends on the cause of the pain. In case of sprains and bruises, the joint is immobilized, the patient is prescribed painkillers and placed on strict bed rest. In the event of dislocation, the joint will be realigned, followed by immobilization of the limb in a stationary position. For fractures, bone traction, plaster fixation or wearing of special structures are indicated.
For hip pain caused by inflammation or infection, treatment may include:
- antibacterial drugs;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- corticosteroid hormones;
- analgesic;
- chondroprotector;
- cytostatic drugs;
- ointments, creams, and other topical agents that stimulate blood flow;
- vitamin complex;
- synovial fluid substitute.
The patient is required to receive a complex of physiotherapy, physiotherapy and massage necessary to restore motor activity, normalize joint nutrition and eliminate signs of inflammation. This may include:
- Massage;
- UHF;
- laser therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetic therapy;
- shock wave therapy;
- hydrotherapy and swimming.
The patient's lifestyle is corrected: obesity is prevented, physical activity is normalized, load is limited, etc. v.
If conservative treatment does not bring the desired effect or the primary disease can only be treated with surgery, surgical intervention will be indicated. It is performed using an open approach or using an arthroscopic technique. As part of the surgical treatment of conditions that cause hip pain, the following may be performed:
- reduce joint dislocation;
- reconstruction of individual joint structures;
- Endoscopic;
- remove tumors;
- permanent joint fixation (arthrodesis);
- joint surgery.
These and other surgical treatments are selected in accordance with the diagnosis and characteristics of the patient's current condition. After surgical treatment, the patient undergoes a rehabilitation process.
symptoms
Hip pain cannot be ignored. Even minor and temporary discomfort can lead to the development of serious diseases in the future. In complex cases, the consequences may be irreversible.
Possible complications include:
- limb deformity;
- lame;
- transfer the pain to a chronic form (in this case, they appear almost continuously);
- Intra-articular body invasion;
- deep vein thrombosis;
- heterotrophic ossification (formation of bone plates in soft tissue);
- arthritis;
- contractures: impaired joint mobility;
- caseation;
- Pathological fractures.
If left untreated, the conditions can cause persistent mobility impairment, inability to live a full life and even care for oneself, and disability. With widespread purulent processes in the hip joint area, without treatment, toxic shock or sepsis may develop, which can be fatal.
Prevent
First of all, experts recommend leading a healthy lifestyle:
- move more, but do not overload the body with excessive exercise;
- Monitor body weight to prevent obesity;
- eat a nutritious and varied diet (nutrition should be balanced in terms of basic macro and micronutrients, as well as total calorie content);
- Do not use systemic medications without a doctor's prescription.
For people who are forced to spend a lot of time on their feet due to their professional activities, they should regularly rest their body and have a preventive examination by an orthopedic surgeon at least once a year.
Patients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system must be monitored in the hospital, strictly follow medical instructions and monitor their condition.
To prevent hip injuries, you should avoid extreme sports, wear protective equipment when exercising, and do not perform complex exercises without the necessary skills and physical training.
Older adults should move extremely carefully in icy conditions and not go out unless absolutely necessary.
Treat hip pain at a professional clinic
The doctors of the multidisciplinary center are all senior specialists, with necessary practical skills and extensive knowledge in many fields of medicine. They look at a patient's problem individually, devising a diagnosis and treatment program that takes into account all health characteristics. Experts use an integrated approach to address a variety of health problems. They not only eliminate a specific symptom, but also try to identify and eliminate its obvious and non-obvious causes and consequences. This is the only way to completely restore the patient's health, giving him back the opportunity to live a normal life, move without pain or restrictions.
When seeking medical help from the clinic's doctors, everyone has the right to count on the friendly attitude of specialists and subordinate staff, rehabilitation support and objectivity.