Why You Might Be Suffering Hip Pain
Hip pain is something that many people suffer from and it can be caused by a wide variety of factors. Here we explore some of the common causes of hip pain and look at whether or not these should be cause for concern.
Trochanteric bursitis
This condition results from inflammation of the greater trochanter, which is part of the hip joint. Symptoms include localised pain when sleeping in particular ways or walking up steep gradients. It is possible to seek help for this kind of condition from a rheumatologist, and it is also recommended to take guidance on pain medications and undertake some stretching exercises.
Hip arthritis
This is one of the most common reasons people have hip pain, and it is particularly common in older people. Hip arthritis causes inflammation of the joint which can restrict mobility and cause much discomfort, it also causes the cartilage that protects your hip joint to wear away, leaving it more vulnerable. Arthritis won’t get better on its own, so if you are worried that you may be experiencing it then it is important to seek medical advice.
Simply overdoing it
Some of us are just guilty of pushing ourselves too far and making our joints and/or muscles ache as a result of the activities we choose to do. You may have strained muscles or tendons, which usually get better of their own accord after a few days of causing discomfort. This should, however, act as a gentle reminder that you need to be mindful of your body’s limitations, especially if you’re getting a bit older.
More brittle bones
As we get older, our bones become more prone to breaks and fractures, they become less robust as they age. If you have had a fall or a trip and are subsequently feeling hip pain that you didn’t have before, you may have fractured your joint and will require an X-ray to diagnose this for certain.
Knowing when to ask for help
In the early stages of hip discomfort, advice indicates that it is often possible to manage this with a combination of rest, a change in the intensity of physical activities you choose to do, a course of anti-inflammatory over the counter drugs and targeted stretches/exercises. However, if the pain is not helped by these strategies, or it appears to be worsening then listen to your body and make an appointment for an orthopaedic assessment to get your joint checked out.
About The Author
London hip surgeon Mr Simon Bridle specialises in hip and knee replacement surgery and is renowned as a leading London hip and knee surgeon; he performs primary hip and knee replacements, including MAKO robotic assisted cases, and continues to be involved in the management of complications following joint replacement. View his weekly clinics to book an appointment.