Hip Joint Pain

What is Hip Joint Pain

Hip pain is a term used for pain in the hip joint or the area around it.  Hip joint pain is a very common ailment ( medical condition). The pain inside your hip or your groin region can result from any trouble in the hip joint and the pain on the outside of your hips, outer buttock and upper thigh is caused by problems with ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues around your hip joint and muscles.

The hip joint is the largest joint in the body and is able to handle continuous motions of the body and daily wear and tear.  When you use your hip joint for any movement a cushion of cartilage present in the joint prevents the joint from any damage. With continuous use and growing age, the cartilage can get damaged and can cause pain in the hips.

Causes and Symptoms of Hip Joint Pain

Causes:

Hip joint pain can be caused by many reasons, the exact location of hip pain can help in identifying the real cause of the pain. Hip pain can be caused by other diseases and medical conditions present in the body. Some common reasons for hip joint pain are:

1. Inflamed tendons/ Tendonitis –  it is the most common of short-term hip pain. It can be caused by too much exercise and could be very painful.
2. Muscles and tendons in the hip can be overused.
3. Bones in the hip can get break down due to an injury or a fall.
4. Cartilage can get damaged due to regular use.
5. Lower back pain can also cause hip joint pain, such a condition is known as referred pain.
6. Disability- any kind of disability can also cause pain in the hip joints.
7. Arthritis-  there are many types of arthritis which can cause pain in the hip joint, normally arthritis in the lower region of the body causes pain in the hips.
8. Injuries- any injury around the hip region can cause hip joint pain, sprains and fractures around the hip joint could result in hip joint pain.
9. Pinched nerves- diseases like sciatica can cause pain in the hip joints.
10. cancer – bone cancer or any other cancer that has spread into bones could cause hip joint pain.
11. Some other diseases which are associated with hip joint pain are Avascular necrosis, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (in children)Osteomyelitis (a bone infection) Osteoporosis, Synovitis.

Symptoms:

Hip joint pain can be caused by many reasons, the exact location of hip pain can help in identifying the real cause of the pain. Hip pain can be caused by other diseases and medical conditions present in the body. Some common reasons for hip joint pain are:

1. Inflamed tendons/ Tendonitis –  it is the most common of short-term hip pain. It can be caused by too much exercise and could be very painful.
2. Muscles and tendons in the hip can be overused.
3. Bones in the hip can get break down due to an injury or a fall.
4. Cartilage can get damaged due to regular use.
5. Lower back pain can also cause hip joint pain, such a condition is known as referred pain.
6. Disability- any kind of disability can also cause pain in the hip joints.
7. Arthritis-  there are many types of arthritis which can cause pain in the hip joint, normally arthritis in the lower region of the body causes pain in the hips.
8. Injuries- any injury around the hip region can cause hip joint pain, sprains and fractures around the hip joint could result in hip joint pain.
9. Pinched nerves- diseases like sciatica can cause pain in the hip joints.
10. cancer – bone cancer or any other cancer that has spread into bones could cause hip joint pain.
11. Some other diseases which are associated with hip joint pain are Avascular necrosis, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (in children)Osteomyelitis (a bone infection) Osteoporosis, Synovitis.

Preventions for Hip Joint Pain:

1. Practice exercises like yoga, gentle stretchings, easy going aerobics or simple movements. It will help in avoiding pain, and improves the flexibility and mobility of the joints.
2. Give proper attention to small injuries or pain, so that they don’t emerge as major injuries in future.
3. Go for a physical therapy if you had injuries in past in or around joints. That will keep joints healthy and agile.
4. Always have a good warm up before you begin your exercises or gym sessions.
5. Hear what your body tells you. If you feel pain in or around the joints, you might be pushing the body too much. Have small breaks between exercises, do activities slowly and keep in check with the joints and muscles surrounding them.
6. While working for a sitting job, try to take breaks and walk around. Have a chair that puts you in a straight posture. 
7. Keep your weight in check all the time. Excess fat around joints especially the pelvic region can easily lead to pain and discomfort at a later age. 
8. Eat a well-balanced diet, which provides all kinds of nutrition requirements.
9. Get suitable footwear for walking, or exercising. It will take off the burden from your feet as well as ankles and up to knees and hip joints. Get an understanding of which surfaces are good for exercising, and which should be avoided.