Causes of Hip Pain and How to Address Them

Hip pain is a common condition that can make it challenging to move around and exercise. It can also cause other symptoms, such as leg or foot pain, cramping, and numbness. It usually develops over time. Hip pain can cause aching and stiffness in the muscles around your hip joints. That can make it harder for you to walk and carry out everyday activities like climbing stairs or lifting objects. A Chevy Chase hip pain diagnosis and treatment can help save you from pain and possible complications.

Hip pain can be a symptom of any number of underlying medical conditions. The hip joint is the ball and socket where the thigh bone (femur) meets the pelvis bone. Some people may experience hip pain because of a sports injury, while others may have an underlying condition.

Hip pain can be a result of many things, such as:

Bone fractures

Most bone fractures happen when one part of your body falls on another, usually against your spine, causing bone or soft tissue damage. Fractures may also occur when you fall, slip and fall, or get hit by a car. The most common types of fractures are:

• Femoral neck fractures
• Knee (patellar) fractures
• Shoulder (glenohumeral) joint dislocations
• Hip (femoral) fractures

Musculoskeletal disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders include arthritis, bursitis and tendinitis, all forms of inflammation caused by degeneration of your joints, muscles and tendons. These conditions affect adults and children but can be treated successfully with medication and physical therapy sessions.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is a common disease that affects the cartilage between your bones and ligaments. OA causes inflammation and damage to these structures, resulting in joint pain and stiffness and swelling in your joints. The condition can also lead to disability if left untreated for too long, so taking care of your joints while they are still healthy is essential.

Muscle strain or injury

Muscle strains are common in runners and other athletes, especially those who engage in repetitive movements with their knees locked for long periods. These injuries can occur when muscles tighten up during exercise and then become overstretched when you try to move them later. They often occur in the hip flexor group — muscles that extend the hip — but can affect any muscle group in the lower body.

A torn or strained muscle is not always painful immediately after exercise but may become painful several hours after activity stops. The pain will usually improve within 24 hours once the inflammation subsides but could last longer if swelling is present at the time of injury. If you experience persistent pain after treating a muscle strain properly, consult a doctor immediately so they can examine your area more closely and rule out other possible causes for hip pain.

Obesity

Obesity is another common cause of hip pain in both men and women. When excess weight accumulates on your body, it puts pressure on your joints and causes them to become stiffer over time.

Excess weight also contributes to a decreased range of motion in the hips, which leads to pain and inflammation in these areas. In addition, obesity can lead to weakened core muscles, which can undermine your overall stability and make it difficult for you to perform activities such as walking or standing up from sitting down at work all day long without feeling fatigued or discomfort.

Treating hip pain early on is vital because it can become more severe if not treated properly. A doctor can help determine what type of treatment your hip needs based on the cause of your pain. If your hip is causing you a lot of discomfort and preventing you from doing activities that you enjoy, then it may be time to contact Gautam Siram, MD, about treatment options for hip pain.