Hip Pain Overview
By Ehren Allen, Certified Manual Therapist/Physical Therapist
Hip Pain Overview
The hip joint is the joint that connects the femur bone to the pelvis. It functions as a ball and socket joint that moves in multiple directions.
medical illustration of a broken hip
It is hard to give an overview of hip pain since it can vary in nature and location:
- Pain in the groin or adductors.
- Pain in the front of the hip.
- You cannot cross your legs.
- Pain increases with walking or running.
- Limited range of motion.
Hip Anatomy
The anatomy of the hip is pretty complex with the sacrum and the pelvis. Watch this video on Hip Anatomy.
pelvis, hip, leg bones and ligaments labeled
Hip Injuries
Arthritis is the leading cause of hip injuries and hip pain.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Psoriatic arthritis.
Trauma
- Hip fracture.
- Bursitis.
- Dislocation or Subluxation of the hip.
- Inguinal hernia or Sports Hernia.
- Femoroacetabular Impingement.
- Strain/Sprain.
- Pelvic Fracture.
Cancer
- Bone Cancer.
- Leukemia.
Other Hip Problems
- Avascular Necrosis of Bone Death.
- Osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis stages. close-up of human bones with different density. bone disease. aging process.
Do I Need a Hip Replacement?
You may need a hip replacement if you have severe pain in the hip or groin that does not improve. Pain in the groin with crossing your legs or flexing the hip or hip and groin pain with walking. Arthritis can cause so much pain that you lose ROM, and the pain causes you to stop your activities of daily living.
What Can I Do to Decrease my Pain?
The best way to address the pain initially is to cut back on walking and consider exercises that require less weight-bearing, such as riding a stationary bike, swimming, or exercising in a pool. Ice or heat may help make the pain less intense. If this does not help, you may need formal physical therapy.
Hip Arthritis Symptoms
Hip arthritis can have a wide range of severity in symptoms. Most people notice pain in the hip or groin region which is worse with excessive weight-bearing activity. Patients may experience stiffness or loss of range of motion in the hip and limited mobility with daily activity. At times, the hip may cause pain to travel to the knee or thigh. Pain may cause you to walk with a different gait pattern which may cause you to have pain in other joints.
5 Reasons You Should See an Orthopedic Physician
- Pain with lifting the hip or flexing the hip.
- Pain that travels to the groin.
- Hip and groin pain when sitting, driving, walking, sleeping, or exercising.
- Hip pain that does not resolve in a few weeks.
- Decreased range of motion of the hip due to pain.
If you want to make an appointment with a JOI Hip Surgeon, please call 904-JOI-2000. For Physical Therapy, please call 904-858-7045.
Please watch this Video on Level 1 Hip Exercises by JOI Rehab.
JOI and JOI Rehab
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.
Book An Appointment with a JOI Hip Physician.