Hip pain causes include serious problems like a fracture or joint infection and less serious causes like bursitis.
Hip pain is a common symptom that can be described as aching, sharp, orburning.
It can range in intensity from mild to severe.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
Your healthcare provider can diagnose the cause and help to plan your treatment.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
Note: Hip pain in children is assessed differently than in adults.
This article focuses on hip pain in adults.
What Is Hip Pain?
The hip is a large “ball-and-socket” joint.
The hip joint is held in place by ligaments and covered in cartilage, a smooth, white tissue.
Fluid-filled sacs calledbursaeprovide cushioning to prevent friction between muscles, tendons, and bones in the hip joint.
The hip also contains a data pipe of muscles that enable movement and support.
Problems with any of these structures can contribute to hip pain.
There are common patterns of hip pain.
Hip pain is common in pregnancy.
One study found that pain is most common during the third trimester.
Causes
Many conditions can cause pain in your hip.
Some of these can happen after a sudden injury, while others may occur due to overuse.
Medical conditions such as infection or cancer can also cause hip pain.
Inner Hip Pain
Anterior hip pain affects the inside of your hip and groin area.
What Does Hip Bursitis Feel Like?
There are a few types of hip bursitis.
Outer hip pain passing down along the thigh and knee may be trochanteric bursitis.
Side Hip Pain
Lateral hip pain refers to pain on the side of the hip.
Diagnosis
A medical history and physical exam by a healthcare provider are essential for a proper diagnosis.
Your healthcare provider will likely order imaging tests or blood tests.
Medical History
A healthcare provider will ask you questions about your pain.
They’ll press down on the knee from the affected side to make it lower the leg.
Imaging
Imaging tests may be needed to confirm or support a diagnosis for your hip pain.
Blood or Other Tests
Blood tests may be ordered in some specific circumstances.
Treatment
The treatment of hip pain depends on the diagnosis.
Common elements of a treatment plan include self-care, medication, physical therapy, and surgery.
Other drugs may be needed, depending on your diagnosis.
Adisease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD)can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Intravenous (IV) antibiotics can be used to treat an infected joint.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of the treatment for many causes of hip pain.
It is meant to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility in your hip.
A physical therapist may use massage, ultrasound, heat, and ice to soothe inflammation.
They may also offer guidance on returning to sports or other activities.
Surgery
Surgery may be required for the treatment of a hip fracture.
Sometimes worsening osteoarthritis may be treated with a totalhip replacement.
A hip arthroscopy may be used to repair a torn hip labrum.
The site may help point to the cause.
Your healthcare provider will need to diagnose the condition to ensure the right treatment.
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