If you’re living with hip pain, you’re not alone. One report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that 7% of U.S. adults had hip pain in 2006. There are many issues that can cause hip pain, and you may be wondering what cause is specific to you. There are four common hip issues that may be the cause of your pain.
1. Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common causes of hip joint pain, and there are two types that could be affecting you. Osteoarthritis is one of these types, and this condition comes from the gradual wearing out of joint cartilage over time. It can also be sped up by injuries, poor exercising form or infections in the hip. If you’re experiencing pain in many joints at once, the culprit is more likely to be rheumatoid arthritis. This condition is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the linings of joints.
2. Bursitis
In every joint of your body, there are fluid-filled sacs that help provide cushioning, and these sacs are called bursae. When these structures become inflamed, the condition is known as bursitis. This condition could be the cause of your hip pain because there are two bursae in your hip. Bursitis often happens when you do repetitive hip movements, such as running. Impacts to your hip from sports or falls can also lead to bursitis.
3. Hip labral tear
Your hip socket has a ring of cartilage around its rim, and this cartilage is known as the labrum. The labrum’s job is twofold. First, it provides cushioning for your hip socket, and second, it helps stabilize your hip by keeping the ball of your upper leg bone seated in the hip socket. Tearing of the labrum is common in people who perform repetitive hip-twisting movements. If you perform such movements regularly, a labral tear could be the reason you’re feeling hip pain.
4. Avascular necrosis
Also called osteonecrosis, avascular necrosis is a condition where the blood flow to the hip is lower than it should be. The decreased blood flow can lead to the death of one or more bones in the hip, and this can make the joint more unstable and painful and may increase the risk of fractures.
This condition could very well be the cause of your hip pain if you’ve recently fallen and injured your hip. Osteonecrosis in the hip can also come from damage to the blood vessel from a hip dislocation, and it may also be caused by using high-dose steroids like prednisone for longer periods of time.
Find help for your hip pain at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy
Looking for a physical therapy team that can build you an individualized therapy plan? Excel Sports & Physical Therapy is just the team you’re looking for. We have 11 clinics located across the greater St. Louis, Missouri, area, and we offer therapy techniques such as:
Take the next step to begin treating your pain. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
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