Hip pain: causes and treatments

If you experience pain in your hip joint, you will need to determine the cause.Pain treatment depends on the pathology of which it is a symptom.Comprehensive measures and strict adherence to recommendations will help eliminate the disease and maintain the motor activity of the joint.Impaired functioning of the hip joint makes active movement impossible.Decreased functionality limits the patient's ability to move independently and work.

Anatomical features

A large joint connects the femur and pelvic bones and provides the ability to move in three directions: flexion and extension, abduction and rotation of the lower limb.Degenerative changes that lead to deformity, limit movement and cause pain.

The hip joint receives blood through the main femoral arteries, located in the region of the joint.Pathologies that can disrupt vascular capacity lead to lack of oxygen and nutrient deficiency.

Large nerve trunks of the sciatic, obturator, and femoral nerves provide innervation.Compression or pinching of nerve endings results in intense neurological pain in the pelvic region.
 

Causes of hip pain

The development of diseases of various etiologies in the hip joint region leads to serious health problems, including disabilities.The occurrence of pain in the hip joint accompanies each pathology at different stages of its development.

The cause of pain determines its nature and intensity.Acute pain occurs due to injuries, inflammatory and purulent processes, while painful and non-intense sensations result from chronic diseases.

Numerous pathologies of unknown origin and congenital defects lead to the appearance of symptoms.The syndrome is present initially or may arise as a result of the progression of the pathological condition.

Causing diseases

• Trauma of varying severity is one of the most common causes.Bruises, sprains and fractures cause mechanical damage to bones and ligaments.On the first day after the injury, sharp pain in the hip joint is observed.Subsequently, the pain weakens, becoming dull.Frequent injuries: pelvic fracture, hip dislocation, femoral neck fracture.All of the above injuries occur after a serious, direct injury caused by a fall or blow.The situation becomes more complicated if the person has a history of osteoporosis or degenerative changes in the cartilage and bone tissues of the joint.
• Myositis ossificans is characterized by inflammation in the connective tissues of the joint capsule.It appears after injury or when inherited from parents.The progressive course leads to morphological changes in cartilaginous tissue, which over time degenerates into bone formations.
• A dislocated hip, whether it occurs at birth or develops in the womb, leads to deformities, limited movement, and pinched nerves.With this pathology, not only somatic, but also neuropathic pain in the hip joint occurs.
• Coxarthrosis is a common pathology in elderly people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or perform heavy physical work.Dystrophic changes in cartilage and subsequent bone deformation cause pain.The first symptoms appear as a result of intense stress.The advanced course is accompanied by constant, dull pain that does not disappear during rest or prolonged sleep.The worsening of the syndrome continues in parallel with the progressive changes in the hip joint.
• Arthritis - inflammation in the joint capsule is accompanied by severe throbbing pain.It can appear as an independent disease or as a complication after an injury or infectious disease.
• Reiter's syndrome is a reactive lesion of an allergic nature, occurring more frequently after infectious pathologies.There are cases when the condition develops after the penetration of chlamydia or gonococcus into the joint capsule.The pathology is accompanied by sharp pain in the hip joint and tissue swelling.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease of the immune system in which the body's own cells recognize healthy tissue as a foreign organism and attempt to destroy it.This condition leads to modification of joint tissues against the background of severe inflammatory processes.
• Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic disease of the joints that is chronic in nature.The location of the process in the iliosacral region is accompanied by pain in the pelvic region, progressing mainly at night.The patient's pain intensifies in the morning, stiffness disappears after active movements or exercise.
• Osteochondritis dissecans, also known as Koenig's disease, develops in the cartilage that comes into contact with the femur.The cartilage begins to delaminate with further separation of a small area.The condition is often complicated by the addition of synovitis.Patients complain of pain in the hip joint;in the final stages, complete blockage occurs due to the presence of necrotic cartilaginous tissue in the joint cavity.
• Legg-Calvé-Perthess disease is a pathology similar to osteochondropathy, which develops when blood circulation and nutrition in the hip joint are impaired.It is characterized by gradual necrosis of the femoral head, accompanied by pain and gait disturbances due to acquired shortening of the limb.The disease is considered pediatric, as preschool and school-age children are most affected.
• Bursitis is an inflammation of the synovial bursa followed by its filling with pathogenic fluid.The disease appears in the bursae located close to the hip joint, causing pain mainly during exercise or palpation.
• Synovitis is an inflammatory lesion of the synovial membrane that lines the walls of the joint capsule.In the acute period, intense and constant pain appears in the hip joint;during the chronic course, symptoms subside.
• Symphysitis - changes in the tissues of the pubic symphysis with divergence of the pubic bones.It occurs during pregnancy and childbirth.The pathology is inflammatory in nature, accompanied by severe pain in the pubic region, spreading to the hip joint region.
• Radicular syndrome in the pelvic region is represented by neuropathic pain.The syndrome occurs due to compression of large nerves located in the area of the junction of the femur and pelvic bones by bone growths and deformed tissues.
• Varus deformity of the foot, clubfoot, can be a congenital defect or an acquired condition.The poorly distributed load on the feet, due to the displacement of the forefoot inward, negatively affects the hip and knee joints.Over time, with inappropriate actions or lack of treatment, the hip joint becomes deformed, causing pain.
• Enthesopathy is a degenerative-dystrophic process in the ligamentous apparatus of the joint.The processes are often accompanied by inflammation.The painful condition leads to weakening of the structure of the ligaments and tendons with possible rupture of the connective tissue.Furthermore, ossification occurs in certain areas, which reduces the functionality of the joint.
• Intermittent hydrarthrosis is a chronic joint pathology in which there is an increase in the synthesis of synovial fluid, accompanied by an increase in joint volume and a decrease in motor activity due to pain.
• Synovial chondromatosis is the degeneration of areas of the synovial membrane of the joint into cartilaginous formations.New growth can reach the size of a matchbox.Accompanied by severe pain during movements, decreased range of motion until complete blockage of the hip joint.
• Juvenile epiphysiolysis is a pathological downward and backward displacement of the femoral head.Boys become ill during puberty, when a malfunction occurs due to an imbalance in the synthesis of sex and growth hormones.Pain in the hip joint appears when trying to move the leg.
• Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head may develop due to acute circulatory deficiency in the hip joint.Against the backdrop of the death of bone tissue, the intense pain turns into a burning sensation, which drastically limits the ability to move the affected leg.Attacks last several days and pass before the next acute phase begins.
• There are known cases of gout developing in the hip joint.Excessive formation of uric acid with insufficient excretion crystallizes and settles in the joint cavity, gradually filling it.During a gout attack, pain occurs that cannot be tolerated.
• Malignant neoplasms in the bones or surrounding tissues.

Symptoms

Pain in the hip joint is divided into 3 degrees:

1. mild – accompanies minor injuries and consequences after intense stress on the muscles of the thigh and buttocks;
2. medium – occurs with pathologies of a dystrophic, inflammatory and infectious nature, which may be local in nature or radiate to the lower limb or pubic bone;
3. strong - appears with bone fractures, severe dislocations, accompanied by severe limitation of movement in the joint and, sometimes, paralysis.

Pain that progresses at night and disappears during the day appears in pathologies with congestion of blood vessels.Lack of blood circulation can cause sensations of numbness, tingling and chills.

Many diseases occur with inflammation in the joint capsule, ligaments, or surrounding tissues.

In this case, characteristic symptoms appear:

• swelling around the hip joint appears due to a violation of the outflow of excess fluid, while the skin stretches and becomes shiny;
• change in the color of the skin over the wound: from moderate red to bluish;
• a local increase in temperature in the joint area is due to a reaction to acute inflammation;
• severe course causes general intoxication of the body, which is accompanied by headaches, joint pain and fever.

Methods for diagnosing the hip joint

For a detailed examination, several studies are carried out, with the help of which it is possible to create a complete picture of the disease that has arisen:

• a laboratory blood test will indicate latent or obvious inflammation, the presence of rheumatoid factor;
• bacteriological examination of synovial fluid to determine the causative agent of inflammation;
• biopsy of suspected tissue for the presence of a malignant factor;
• X-ray examination of the hip joint from different sides will help identify signs of tissue deformation;
• ultrasound examination of the joint;
• Doppler is an ultrasound method for evaluating blood circulation;
• computed tomography.

Hip joint treatment

If the hip joint hurts, therapeutic measures may vary depending on the disease.It all depends on the pathology, the symptom of which is unpleasant pain.The set of procedures is determined from medications, physiotherapeutic treatment, therapeutic exercises and alternative medicine methods.Strict adherence to recommendations and compliance with all prescriptions lead to the normalization of the condition.Only a doctor should prescribe medicines and medicines.

Drug therapy

1. Anesthetic medications can be used for temporary pain relief.Pain relievers do not treat the cause of hip pain, but they are effective in relieving the symptom for a short period of time.
2. In case of severe pain, if there is no effect from non-narcotic analgesics, a blockade is performed.
3. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used as anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic agents.The medicine is taken strictly according to the instructions, without exceeding the dosage, so as not to cause side effects from the gastrointestinal tract.
4. For severe inflammation that cannot be treated with non-hormonal medications, glucocorticosteroids have a positive therapeutic effect.Steroid hormones provide anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antihistamine effects.They can be injected directly into the diseased joint during a puncture.
5. Antibiotics are prescribed for associated purulent infections.Antibacterial agents have a detrimental effect on the pathogen, destroying the cause of the pathology.Along with antibiotics, the patient is given probiotics to normalize the intestinal microflora.
6. Muscle relaxants - effectively relax muscles, eliminating spasms.The medications will reduce tone to the point of immobilization, relieving pain in the pelvic region.
7. Diuretics remove fluids, prevent swelling and negative effects on cardiac activity.
8. Vitamin therapy is indicated to boost immunity and improve overall well-being.The biochemical processes that ensure the body's vital functions occur at optimal speed.
9. In the case of degenerative processes that destroy the joint, chondroprotectors are taken for a long time to stop the degenerative process and recover independently.The medications contain chondroitin and glucosamine, a deficiency of which creates an imbalance in the joints.The medications are used in tablet form and also injected into the joint.
10. Sedatives for unbalanced mental states.A nervous system disorder occurs when a person feels constant, debilitating pain in the hip joint.
11. Angioprotectors to improve blood microcirculation.They improve metabolic processes in the walls of blood vessels, increasing their permeability.

Physiotherapy treatment of hip pain

Modern methods of auxiliary therapy provide pain relief in the affected area and help to quickly eliminate the pathology.Modern medicine has at its disposal several methods for relieving pain in the hip joint.

Each of the methods is assigned for the purpose of:

• improve blood circulation in the tissues of the hip joint;
• reduce inflammation;
• relieve pain;
• prevent the development of edema;
• improve metabolic processes in cells;
• initiate tissue self-healing processes;
• strengthen the immune system.

Laser therapy allows you to influence the joint, penetrating up to 9 cm.Laser beams directed at the affected area heat through the thickness of the tissue down to the bones.The healing effect on nerve processes muffles pain.This method was developed to alleviate inflammation;the analgesic effect is additional.

Electrophoresis is the use of galvanic current to penetrate deep into tissue.Low-intensity, low-voltage direct electrical current is prescribed in conjunction with anti-inflammatories or analgesics, for administration through a chemical reaction.

Magnetotherapy ensures the penetration of the magnetic pulse current to a depth of 7 to 12 cm.The treatment is carried out in courses, the effect is achieved at the end of the treatment period and lasts until the start of the next session.To improve the health of the hip joint, a device that relieves pain and triggers regenerative processes is suitable.

Shockwave therapy involves short-term exposure to low-frequency acoustic pulses.It is used to eliminate inflammatory manifestations, providing a kind of high-frequency massage.Enhanced collagen synthesis begins, blood supply and tissue trophism improve.

Orthopedic medical products

Reducing the manifestation of pain in the hip joint can be achieved with the help of orthoses and rehabilitation items.Modern developers of medical products have taken care of the possible difficulties that patients will have to face in advance.

Injuries involving the femoral neck require complete immobilization for several months.To avoid applying massive plaster to the entire lower limb, there is an orthosis with a rigid degree of fixation - a “derotational boot”.It is convenient for the patient to use the product in practice, safe from the point of view of allergenicity (the plaster causes skin irritation and allergies) and for third parties to take care of the victim's leg.

An anti-decubitus mattress is essential if the person has to lie there for long months.During the rehabilitation period, when the first steps are taken after an injury, a walker is used for the first time for independent movement.When greater stability appears, crutches are used and then a cane, which provides support while walking.

Symphysitis causes a lot of suffering due to severe pain in the pubic and pelvic region.To alleviate the painful condition, unload the hip joint, compression and support with the help of rigid ribs, an orthopedic corset is used for the pelvic ring.

Choosing the right shoes is of great importance for proper unloading of the hip joint.Preventive shock-absorbing insoles for daily use will alleviate many problems not only with the joints, but also with the spine.

The applicator has proven to be effective in relieving pain and improving blood circulation.Plastic needles, in close contact with the painful area, first cause pain, turning into pleasant heat.In the acute period, session time is 5 minutes up to 6 times a day, for chronic pain – 15 minutes up to 3 times a day.

Therapeutic gymnastics

Physiotherapy classes have a special role.The more movements a joint performs with a measured load, the more synovial fluid is produced, which is necessary for tissue nutrition and performance.A set of exercises is compiled by a medical instructor for each patient individually.

Exercises are performed in the remission phase, when there is no pain.The technique for correctly executing the movements is explained by a physiotherapist and reproduced under the supervision of a specialist.Movements should not be sudden or sweeping;The number of repetitions must be exactly as instructed.

Therapeutic exercise improves blood flow, tones the thigh muscles, increases the motor capacity of the pelvic joint, makes walking easier and improves immunity.Each exercise must be coordinated;Incorrect actions cause a pain crisis, increased blood pressure and the appearance of microtraumas that lead to inflammation.

A set of exercises to perform at home:

• in a lying position, bend your knees at a right angle, pull both legs to your chest at the same time, creating slight resistance with your hands;
• Without changing position, pull your bent legs one by one, holding for a few seconds;
• lying on your right side, lift your left leg, bent at the knee, repeat the same action with the other leg;
• in a prone position, extend your arms along your body, raise your straight leg by 15 cm, holding for 5 seconds, perform alternating movements with both legs;
• Sitting on a chair, raise your legs parallel to the floor, repeat the movements with each leg.

Surgical treatment of the hip joint

When conservative treatment does not bring the desired result, surgery is performed to alleviate the patient's condition.There are several surgical treatment methods:

1. Arthroscopic debridement - cleaning the inner walls of the joints from necrotic particles, followed by washing with a medicinal solution.The manipulation is carried out in the operating room.
2. Periarticular osteotomy - a fracture of the joint bones is performed to connect at a different angle to reduce the load on the diseased joint.
3. Endoprosthesis is the replacement of a diseased joint with an artificial one;the method involves active rehabilitation actions after the operation.

Traditional medicine

Affordable and safe recipes from healers with centuries of experience help relieve hip joint pain and speed up recovery.Before use, you must consult to exclude contraindications.

1. Peel and chop a head of garlic, add chopped celery root and a lemon with zest.Mix all the ingredients and add hot water, leaving for a day in a cool place.Take 1 spoon for thirty days.
2. Linden and birch bud tea can be drunk every day to reduce inflammation.A teaspoon of linden blossom and birch buds is brewed with hot water.After 30 minutes, the decoction is ready for use.
3. Prepare a mixture of herbs: St. John's wort, chamomile and immortelle, mix 1 tablespoon each.Pour the composition into 500 ml of water and boil for 10 minutes.Take the product 50 ml 3 times a day.
4. Finely chop the turnips, add a little honey and 30 ml of vodka.Apply the resulting mixture to the sore joint, securing it with plastic wrap on top.The compress is covered with a warm blanket throughout the night.
5. Mix mustard powder with honey and vegetable oil.Gauze, folded in several layers, is dipped into the composition and applied to the joint.Keep the compress for a maximum of 60 minutes.
6. Wash the cabbage leaf and grease it with honey, apply it to the hip joint area.Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and cabbage relieves pain in the affected joint.
7. Crushed celandine leaves are mixed with a small amount of olive oil.The mixture is infused for 7 days, after which it is used to rub the painful area.
8. It is necessary to chop and combine hop cones and St. John's wort, add petroleum jelly until an ointment consistency is obtained.Rub into the painful joint 2 times a day.
9. Mix red pepper, kerosene and vegetable oil and leave for 3 weeks.Use for rubbing no more than once a day.

Hip joint prevention

To prevent the appearance of pain in the hip joint, simple recommendations will help:

• the lifestyle should be active with periodic light physical exercise;
• proper nutrition is the basis of health: exclude fatty, salty and smoked foods, alcohol, sausages, chocolate, confectionery;
• do not overload your joints with tiring physical activities or heavy work;
• use preventive bandages to unload the pelvic joint;
• wear comfortable shoes that meet orthopedic standards;
• If unpleasant symptoms appear in the hip joint area, consult a doctor for an examination and prescription of effective treatment.