Exploring the Ins and Outs of Hip Pain
Life can be a painful struggle for people living with hip pain. Beyond the constant hurt, it can affect many aspects of your daily routine. Think about the time it takes to get in and out of your car. The instances you avoided taking the stairs or skipped one of your favorite activities. Watching your kids or grandchildren play instead of playing with them. Maybe it’s time to get to the bottom of your hip pain and take back your life.
Why does my hip hurt?
Hip pain is all too common and can affect people in all age groups and walks of life. The hip is a complex weight-bearing ball and socket joint that also includes surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Due to the complexity of the anatomy of the hip, there are many things that could contribute to your hip pain. A thorough examination and imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can help define the root cause of your pain.
What can cause hip pain?
ArthritisArthritis is the most common cause of daily pain in the hip causing stiffness and tenderness in the joint as well as difficulty walking. This is all the result of inflammation caused by the breakdown of cartilage and the rubbing of the hip bones against one another. Aging, obesity, trauma, and being highly active can increase your chances of developing arthritis.
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BursitisThere are fluid-filled sacs called bursae that keep the tendons and muscles in the hip from rubbing against bone. When these become inflamed it can cause pain in the buttocks and on the outside of your hip. Many factors can cause bursitis, including hip injuries, previous hip surgery, overuse of the joint, posture, leg length, and conditions like Rheumatoid arthritis.
TendonitisOne of the most common causes of acute hip pain is caused by inflamed tendons. Tendonitis is often caused by the strain from too much exercise or repetitive activities like kicking a ball. People with tendonitis will typically experience tenderness in their hip flexor and groin.
Muscle strainAnother hip condition commonly caused by overuse is muscle strain. This happens when the muscles are stretched or torn. This can cause pain, swelling, muscle spasms, bruising, and inflammation that can typically be treated with rest, ice, elevation, and compression unless the injury is more severe.
Hip fracturesHip fractures are most common in older adults and those with osteoporosis but can be the result of a traumatic accident for a person of any age. People with a hip fracture will experience sudden severe pain, an inability to put weight on the leg, difficulty getting up or walking, bruising, and swelling. Hip fractures will more than likely need to be treated with surgery and physical therapy.
What can I do about my hip pain?
At CMC Orthopaedics, once we get to the root cause of your pain then we can define a treatment plan to help you successfully manage it. For minor issues and injuries, rest, icing, anti-inflammatories, and some physical therapy may be all you need to return to normal. However, more serious conditions, such as arthritis and fractures could require a more extensive treatment plan or surgery.
Our fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons are here to assess your needs and help you determine the best plan to kickstart a pain-free life for you.
To set an appointment, call 843-347-8041 or request an appointment today!
Dr. Christian Eccles
Fellowship trained in Hip and Knee orthopaedic surgery at Indiana University Health
Dr. Christian J. Eccles completed his undergraduate education at Weber State University in his hometown of Ogden, Utah. He graduated summa cum laude and was able to dissect cadavers and teach other students anatomy in the lab for two years. He went on to earn his medical degree from Texas Tech University Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. Following medical school, he completed a 5-year Orthopaedic Surgery residency at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. Dr. Eccles specializes in hip and knee replacements, including complex primary and revision joint replacements.
