Hip pain without an injury isn't always a sign of arthritis, or a pulled groin, if you're young. Sometimes the pain is caused by a misshapen hip joint.
Non-arthritic Hip Pain
There are a number of conditions not associated with arthritis that can cause hip pain. Some of the most common include fractures, inflammation in the hip joint, and friction caused by abnormally shaped hip bones. How hip pain is treated depends on the cause of the pain.
There are lots of possible causes of hip pain. It might be caused by a sudden injury or a longer-lasting problem such as arthritis. Your symptoms might give you an idea what could be causing the pain. But do not self-diagnose, see a GP if you're worried.
Your tendons connect muscle to bone, and if they're overstretched, your hip tendons can become damaged, which can lead to a dull ache in any position. The overstretching of the tendons often occurs in people who sit at a desk for long periods.
Hip tendonitis occurs when one of these tendons become inflamed or irritated. An inflamed hip tendon causes acute pain and tenderness, making it difficult to move the joint. Moreover, using the hip irritates them further, causing more inflammation and pain. Tendonitis is commonly caused by the overuse of a tendon.
Two of the most common issues with the hip are bursitis and arthritis. They are completely different conditions with their own unique causes, yet they exhibit extremely similar symptoms, making it difficult to differentiate which is which.
Back pain can often times be mistaken for hip pain since the hip joint is so close to the spine. Generally, hip and back pain can range from a dull ache to sharp pain. This can affect your mobility and everyday activities.
Hip pain is a symptom of several conditions, including arthritis, injuries to your hip (fractures, labral tears and dislocation), bursitis and structural issues. Athletes who move their hips in all directions, like dancers and gymnasts, are more likely to injure their hips and have hip pain.
Hip pain can sometimes be caused by diseases and conditions in other areas of your body, such as your lower back. This type of pain is called referred pain.
Other red flags of concern with respect to the patient presenting with hip and/or groin pain include a history of trauma, fever, unexplained weight loss, burning with urination, night pain, and prolonged corticosteroid use.
The sudden onset of pain can be one indicator of a more serious issue. Sudden swelling and popping noises are also signs to see a doctor. Symptoms, however, do not have to be sudden to be serious. Signs of infection, such as minor pain or swelling, can occur and should be treated immediately as well.
MRI Scans and Ultrasound
MRI scanning and ultrasound imaging can help doctors diagnose mild cases of osteoarthritis or identify soft tissue problems in the hip joint, such as a labral tear. A doctor may also use these tests to assess whether there is inflammation in the synovial membrane.
Symptoms of bursitis of the hip
Symptoms include joint pain and tenderness. You may also see swelling and feel warmth around the affected area. The pain is often sharp in the first few days. It may be dull and achy later.
Walking can help reduce stiffness, as the hip flexors are loosened up, which improves hip flexibility and range of motion. Reduce inflammation in the hips. Arthritis causes chronic inflammation, and walking as a form of exercise boosts blood flow to your hip joint cartilage, which helps decrease inflammation.
People may experience some or all of these symptoms including: pain in or around the hip joint, groin area, buttock or front thigh that can be worse when moving or doing activities. stiffness in the hip, often in the morning or after resting. locking, sticking or grinding of the hip.
A hip affected by inflammatory arthritis will feel painful and stiff. There are other symptoms, as well: A dull, aching pain in the groin, outer thigh, knee, or buttocks. Limited range of motion.
X-rays may show significant signs of hip osteoarthritis and yet the patient may not be in pain. Conversely, x-rays may show only mild osteoarthritis but the patient reports significant pain. Therefore, x-rays are just one tool to be used with the patient interview and physical exam.
It's also important to seek help right away if you experience swelling, redness, warmth, tenderness, or soreness in the area of your hip joint because these could be signs of more serious conditions. Septic arthritis, for example, is a joint infection that can lead to deformities or osteoarthritis if not treated.
"Hip pain from sitting can be from poor posture, but if you're sitting 40 to 50 hours week over 5, 6 months or longer, you probably have decreased strength in your hips. When you do get up from your desk, your glutes, core and hip extensors will be weaker, and you don't feel as strong."
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may help ease your hip pain. Ice or heat. Use ice cubes or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel to apply cold treatments to your hip.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body's immune system has mistakenly begun to attack the membranes lining joints. This leads to hip pain, swelling, warmth in the hip joint and redness.