It often happens from overuse activity.
When the body cannot keep up with the forces acting on the bone, a break eventually occurs.
This generally occurs in the area near the ball of the ball-and-socket hip joint.
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Learn about hip stress fractures, including common symptoms and treatments.
The injury usually causes aching groin pain with activity that is relieved by rest.
After a stress fracture, the bones often maintain their proper alignment.
In fact, these fractures are sometimes not even visibleespecially in the early stageson a regular X-ray.
Healthcare providers are usually concerned about stress fractures of thefemoral neckin the hip.
This is the area that cradles the ball of the femur, or thigh bone.
If the process cannot keep up, eventually the bone can fracture.
How Common Are Hip Stress Fractures?
In older adults, more than 95% of hip fractures are instead due to falls.
Hip stress fractures most often occur just below the ball of the ball-and-socket hip joint.
This location of the bone is called the femoral neck.
Risk Factors
Having certain risk factors can make you more likely to get a hip stress fracture.
While some hip stress fractures will be seen on X-ray, some X-rays may appear normal.
If a stress fracture is suspected, pain medications should be avoided until the fracture has been treated.
Taking pain medication can mask symptoms and lead to a more serious break.
If you only have pain when running, then the running must be stopped.
If the pain occurs while walking, thencrutches should be used.
The important concept is to stay under the level of pain.
The specific location of the fracture can help your healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment.
Your provider can determine if the stress fracture is stable based on the X-ray and MRI results.
Physical therapy(PT) will probably be a big part of your recovery.
Youll also need tocare for your incisionswhile they heal.
You might be able to have a nurse come to your house to help you with wound care.
Its key that you go to yourfollow-up appointmentswith your surgeon.
You may need to use supports like crutches for a while.
In some cases, surgery is needed.
Physical therapy will likely be an important component of the healing process.
A Word From Verywell
Hip stress fractures can become very serious injuries that require immediate treatment.
You may feel pain in your hip or groin.Sometimes, the pain will get worse at night.
More serious hip stress fractures need surgery.
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