Hip Pain Can’t Wait

By Ehren Allen, DPT/Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist

Hip Pain Can’t Wait

The hip is a large joint that is deep beneath layers of muscles and ligaments.  When there is hip pain, it affects walking, sitting, standing, and pretty much everything we do.  But how do you know if it’s time to see a doctor about it?  There are some specific symptoms in the hip that you should not ignore.  These include:

• Severe pain in the groin region
• Unable to bear weight on the hip
• Deformity at the hip
• Inability to cross the legs
• Increased swelling in the hip, thigh, or leg
• Pain that wakes you at night
• Locking or catching in the hip

If you have any of these problems, it is time to go to the doctor.  Click HERE to schedule an appointment with a JOI Hip Specialist.

Hip pain can occur for several reasons. The hip is a large ball and socket joint.  The surfaces of the joints are lined with cartilage to allow smooth movement.  The ring around the socket called a labrum.  The labrum is cartilage as well.  Issues in the joint or the ligaments that hold the joint together can cause pain in the hip.  Usually, pain or symptoms from the hip joint are in the groin region or the front of the hip.  This is the “jean pocket” area.  Causes of hip pain can include:

• Arthritis
• Ligament tear
• Labral tear
• Hip fracture
• Hip dysplasia
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Muscle Strain
• Avascular Necrosis (AVN)

Why Do I Wake Up With Hip Pain?

If you wake up with hip pain, the chances are that there is an inflammatory process happening.  Sometimes, hip pain can occur at night after a long day of activity.  This is more common if there is an underlying hip problem, such as arthritis.  Lying on the hip for a long period can cause pain in the hip region.  The pain may be in the front of the hip or the groin region.  Bursitis on the side of the hip region can cause pain when lying on that side.

If you wake up with severe hip or thigh pain for no apparent reason, this can be a sign of a more serious health issue, and it is important to go to the doctor right away.

Why Do I Have Outer Hip Pain?

The quick answer is a pain in the outer hip can be due to bursitis.  A bursa is a cushion that protects tissue from rubbing against bony areas in the body.  A Bursa is filled with fluid.  If the bursa gets inflamed, it can become swollen and painful.  This is called bursitis.

There is a large bursa in the outer hip region.  It protects the gluteal tendons and the IT band. If there is a weakness in the gluteal muscles, it can alter the pelvis and hip position and cause excessive wear and tear on the bursa.  Often, lying on the affected hip can cause pain.

The low back can also refer pain to the outer hip region.  This can sometimes be confused for bursitis.

Is Hip Pain Common with Pregnancy?

Hip pain is pretty common during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.  But usually, the pain is from the Sacroiliac area.  This is commonly referred to as “hip pain,” but it is more accurately described as low back or pelvic pain.

During pregnancy, the body releases hormones (relaxin) to allow the pelvis to expand to prepare for childbirth.  This can allow for excessive mobility in the SI joints and the pubic symphysis (front of the pubic area).  The extra mobility, combined with the baby’s extra weight, can lead to pain in the lower back’s SI joints.  This is not actually a “hip” problem, but this area is commonly referred to as the hips.

 

Hip Pain With Running

Hip pain with running can have several causes.  One of the most common injuries around the hip with running is a muscle strain.  A strain can happen if the muscle is stretched beyond its normal length or if it is overworked.  Common strains around the hip region include:

• Hip flexor
• Hamstrings
• Adductors
• Quadriceps

Pain in the back of the hip with running may be from the low back.  The labrum can get injured with forceful loading, flexion, or rotation at the hip.

If you would like to learn more about hip labrum injuries, this VIDEO may help.

How Do You Prevent Hip Pain with Running?

The quick answer is to warm up and stretch.  Since strains are one of the most common hip region injuries with running, take time to warm up properly.  Click HERE to learn the Best Hip Stretches.

Remedies for Hip Pain

As with most injuries, conservative treatment should be your first option.  That means try resting the hip for a day or 2. Gentle movement and anti-inflammatories are a good start after that (consult your doctor about anti-inflammatory meds).  If the pain is severe or does not improve in a few days, it is time to see the doctor.  Physical therapy is one of the best treatment options for hip pain and injuries.  Please read this article on hip exercises and Direct Access to Physical Therapy or call 904-858-7045. 

Hip Doctors in Jacksonville

If you need to see a hip doctor, the Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute is the place for you.  We offer the area’s top orthopedic hip surgeons and doctors in 5 convenient locations in Northeast Florida.  JOI also offers 12 convenient rehabilitation centers so that you can begin your recovery quickly.

Let us get you on the road to recovery.  Hip pain can’t wait….. and we can’t wait to take care of you.

Book an Appointment with The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Today!

JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.

You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.

To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.