Hip Pain
The hip joint is a very stable joint that connects the leg to the pelvis. The muscles surrounding the hip joint are some of the largest and strongest in the body. Due to the strength of the joint it is typically only injured from a traumatic event such as a fall or a high impact sport. Many hip joint injuries can disguise itself as pain coming from the pelvis or the back, so a proper diagnosis is important.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
Hip Arthritis
The hip joint is a very congruent joint meaning the bony surfaces are more in contact with one another. Due to this congruence the hip joint is susceptible to hip arthritis. It is also susceptible to arthritis after a prior injury. Hip arthritis typically progresses over time and if severe enough will usually lead people to seeking out surgical interventions such as a total hip replacement.
Hip Impingement
The hip has a labrum similar to the shoulder. This labrum helps keep the hip joint moving with low friction and keeps the joint more stable. Just like the shoulder joint, the labrum of the hip has poor blood supply and poor healing properties. This can sometimes be the causing factor for developing hip arthritis.
Hip Fracture
A hip fracture usually results from a high impact activity such as a fall. Hip fractures can occur at any age with enough impact but are most common in older adults especially females with osteopenia and osteoporosis. A hip fracture will lead to a total hip replacement in many cases.
How Will Physical Therapy Help My Hip Pain?
Once your hip pain is properly diagnosed, your physical therapist will help you decide on the best route of treatment. In many cases hip pain can be managed conservatively with physical therapy. Most people need hip exercises that focus on mobility and stability with added core strengthening to improve mechanics of the hip joint long term.