Hip pain, one of the common symptoms patients complain of, may not always be felt precisely over the hip joint. Pain may be felt in and around the hip joint and the cause for pain is multifactorial. The exact position of your hip pain suggests the probable cause or underlying condition causing pain. Pain felt inside the hip joint or your groin area is more likely to be because of the problems within the hip joint. Likewise, the pain felt on the outer side of your hip, upper thigh or buttocks may be a result of the problems of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues surrounding the hip joint. However, certain disease conditions affecting other parts of your body such as lower back or knees also cause hip pain.
The hip joint can withstand repeated motion and some wear and tear. It is the body’s largest ball-and-socket joint that allows for fluid movement. When the hip is used, a cushion of cartilage helps prevent friction as the hip bone moves in its socket. However, the hip joint isn’t unbreakable. The cartilage may weaken or break down over time, and muscles and tendons in the hip become overused. The bone can also be fractured through an injury. Any of these aforementioned conditions can lead to hip pain.
CAUSES
- Arthritis
- Injuries such as fractures, bursitis, and tendinitis
- Pinched nerves
- Cancer
- Other conditions
SYMPTOMS
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
You should seek medical help if any of the following conditions accompany hip pain:
- Intense pain
- Swelling
- Difficulty moving the leg or hip
- Inability to handle weight or pressure on the leg
- A joint appears deformed
- Fever, chills, or redness (possible signs of infection)
