hip pain

One of the common symptoms that patients present to medical facilities is hip pain. Without qualified medical care, the cause, treatment, and possible disease causing this manifestation cannot be determined. Discomfort in any part of the musculoskeletal system may indicate the development of a serious pathology, so hip dysfunction should not be ignored.

Anatomy of the hip region

The hip joint plays an important role in sports activities. This is one of the largest human joints and can withstand heavy loads while standing as well as while walking upright.

bones that form joints

The hip joint is formed by the head of the femur and the unnamed acetabulum of the pelvis - the strongest and largest part of the human skeleton. The minimal number of anatomical elements of a joint ensures its strength and reliability as well as its ability to bear body weight during movement. Most disorders of the hip joint begin with damage to the acetabulum, the fixed part of the joint. It is shaped like a bowl with a slight upward slope in the center, which ensures even distribution of load between the pelvis.The glenoid is a strong, sturdy structure made up of 3 types of pelvic bones:

• ileum
• ischium
• pubic

The most vulnerable areas of the joint cavity are in children whose bone tissue is not strong enough. Due to the presence of a small bony ridge on the edge of the socket, the femoral head is completely immersed in the "bowl", providing strong support for the limb. The moving part of the joint is the femur (head, neck, greater and lesser trochanters). The shape of the head corresponds to the cavity of the joint cavity. It is covered with cartilage tissue that ensures perfect alignment of the joint elements and their unhindered gliding. There is a strong ligament in the center of the head that connects the bone to the hip socket, providing extra grip and support.The neck projects from the femoral head at an obtuse angle, ensuring joint mobility and even distribution of load between the limbs. The trochanter is a bony protrusion to which tendons are attached.

fabrics and structures

The normal function of a joint is ensured by a variety of structures, each of which performs a corresponding function.Reduced blood supply, performance and sensitivity of joints are provided by:

1. Ligaments and tendons surround all sides of the joint, covering and protecting the femur and its neck, as well as the glenoid socket itself.
2. Cartilage covers the femoral head and part of the acetabulum.
3. The subchondral area is bone tissue composed of cells and connective extracellular material.
4. The joint membrane or capsule is the source of a special secretion called synovial fluid that lubricates the joint area.
5. The acetabular labrum connects the acetabular rim to the transverse ligament.

The hip joint receives nutrients through a rather isolated network of blood vessels and arteries. The blood supply to the interior of the joint is provided by the acetabular branch of the obturator artery, and the joint capsule, ligaments, and surrounding muscles are supplied by the deep arteries of the thigh and buttocks.

anatomical structures located next to the hip joint

Often, the cause of hip pain is damage to the anatomy next to it. These elements include:

1. Skin and subcutaneous tissue - the outer shell of the body
2. The muscles of the thighs, pelvis, lower back, and hips provide joint flexibility and strengthen it from the outside
3. Extra-articular ligaments - perform strengthening functions and are located around the joint capsule
4. Periarticular bursae are bundles of connective tissue that prevent friction between soft and hard tissue

risk factors

The inflammatory process in the pelvic area occurs due to mechanical damage or certain types of bacterial damage. In this case, both elements of the joint and its surrounding anatomy may be pathologically affected.Often, one or more structures become inflamed:

• leather
• muscle
• Ligaments (extra-articular, femoral head)
• periarticular bursa
• TBS capsules
• cartilage
• acetabular labrum
• subchondral area

Hip pain is often caused by harmful microorganisms that trigger septic arthritis. Other reasons are also common:

• immune system diseases
• Joint damage caused by excessive physical activity
• elderly
• Metabolic disorders
• other illnesses

characteristics of pain

Other symptoms play an important role when diagnosing hip pain, which may indicate the underlying cause of the problem.

Hip pain that radiates to the leg

If the pain of aching joints spreads to the groin, knees, or hips, the problem is most likely caused by damage to the nerves that supply the area of the legs for one of the following reasons:

• joint tumors
• Infectious arthritis - occurs due to pathogenic damage
• Fractured femur (head or neck)
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes Pathology - Femoral head cartilage necrosis
• Juvenile epiphysis - structural destruction and inflammation of the joint head

Hip pain that radiates down the leg may indicate pathology in the cartilage and periarticular structures, insufficient joint lubrication, and damage to the synovial membrane. Pain symptoms may appear suddenly or gradually worsen.

pain when walking

Hip pain occurs when walking if the acetabulum comes into contact with the cartilage tissue of the femoral head, causing an inflammatory process. The cause of this phenomenon may be mechanical damage, inflammation of the anatomical structures near the joint.Depending on the intensity of your hip pain while walking, you can determine the root cause of the problem:

• Discomfort that occurs when starting to walk and gradually subsides - a sign of inflammation of the periarticular bursae
• Discomfort that gradually increases from the moment you start walking - Inflammation of the articular surface of the hip joint
• Persistent, high-intensity pain with impaired joint function - occurs with dislocations and fractures
• Pain that occurs towards the end of the night - the result of deformation of the cartilage of the femoral head and (or) acetabulum, which rub against each other and become inflamed
• Moderate pain is a sign of minor injuries and bruises

Pain when abducting the leg

Pain during leg abduction is caused by inflammation of the tissues and structures that provide movement (muscles, periarticular bursae, tendons). Similar symptoms are commonly caused by myositis (inflammation of muscle tissue), bursitis (inflammation of the bursa around a joint), and tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon).

reason

In most cases, pain in the pelvic area is caused by patients suffering from one of the following problems:

• arthritis
• Hip arthrosis
• Trochanteric bursitis
• Tendinitis
• infectious pathology
• hereditary disease
• Tumor formation in the pelvic area

If left untreated, these causes can lead to serious complications, including loss of joint mobility.

arthritis

Arthritis (hipitis) is a disease of joint tissue caused by immune system disorders or damage by pathogens (viruses and bacteria).Arthritis symptoms:

• temperature rise
• pain and swelling in the joint area
• Movement disorders

The disease occurs in acute, subacute and chronic forms.

Hip arthrosis

Another name for hip joint disease is hip osteoarthritis. This pathology is caused by metabolic disorders of cartilage tissue, leading to its death. Causes of this phenomenon may be injury, compromised blood supply, excessive physical activity, age over 45 years, and genetics. The main symptoms of hip joint disease are pain in the waist, groin, and buttocks, which gradually worsen during physical activity, leading to lameness. Discomfort decreases during periods of inactivity.

Trochanteric bursitis

The presence of an inflammatory process in the bursa (trochanteric bursa) is characterized by severe pain in the joint area. Athletes and the elderly are susceptible to this disease. The main symptom of trochanteric bursitis is pain in the greater trochanter area, which worsens when trying to lean on the affected leg.

Tendinitis

Inflammation of tendons is called tendonitis. It is a disease that occurs in acute or chronic forms and causes degenerative changes in tissues. This pathology usually occurs in athletes who do not follow their running technique and after heavy loads on the hip muscles.Often, tendonitis is a complication of another condition:

• Thyroid pathology
• Metabolic disorders
• arthritis
• joint
• Inflammatory process of systemic or infectious origin
• hip dysplasia

Tendonitis can cause discomfort, pain during movement, changes in gait, and a clicking sound when walking in the joint area.

Infect

Some infectious diseases can cause inflammation of the joint tissue and nearby anatomy, causing severe pain in the hip joint. Most commonly, the following conditions have similar symptoms:

1. Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head is a disruption of the blood supply to the groin area, causing tissue death. The pain associated with this disease is acute and severe. This problem is more common in men.
2. Septic arthritis is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. If medical help is not sought promptly, sepsis may occur. Associated symptoms are systemic intoxication, pain and swelling in the affected joint areas, and difficulty with motor activities.
3. Tuberculous arthritis is common in children and is characterized by a slow progression. Associated symptoms include increased fatigue, reduced motor activity, and muscle atrophy. When a purulent abscess develops, varying degrees of pain may intensify.

Infectious lesions of the hip joint can lead to serious complications and require immediate treatment.

hereditary disease

Hereditary lesions of the hip joint usually appear between 1 and 10 years of age and are characterized by pathological changes in the tissues of the glenoid and/or femoral head. The most common genetic disorder affecting the hip joint is Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome, which is characterized by pain and gait disturbance due to the death of cartilage tissue in the joint.

Bone and soft tissue tumors

Benign or malignant growths of bone and soft tissue in the hip joint can cause pain when walking or resting. Tumors can occur in bone tissue (osteomyelitis), cartilage tissue (chondroblastoma, enchondroma), or osteochondral tissue (osteochondroma). Often, tumors cause discomfort and can be felt upon palpation. Benign tumors can be treated with surgery; some of them can turn into cancerous tumors.Thigh soft tissue tumors:

• Lipoma
• rhabdomyomas
• Fibroma
• Hemangioma
• Neuroma

Oncologists are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors of the hip and pelvis.

what to do

With severe hip pathology, a person will experience severe pain. Discomfort in the pelvic area is a reason to visit a medical facility for examination and treatment.Special attention should be paid to the intensity of pain:

1. lung- Bruising after an injury. A cold compress should be applied to the painful area to reduce swelling. To reduce pain, it is recommended to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is recommended to consult a doctor.
2. ease- Usually occurs in disorders of the hip joint, with difficulty in motor activities and an increase in body temperature. Discomfort can increase during physical activity. It is necessary to consult a rheumatologist.
3. strong- Occurs due to dislocations and fractures. accompanied by limitation or inability to perform physical activities. If you are experiencing severe hip pain as a result of an injury, you should contact an ambulance.

There are many folk remedies available for treating hip pain. It is important to remember that all of these are suitable for symptomatic treatment and pain relief, but will not help eliminate the cause of the problem. Effective treatment is only given under the supervision of a qualified physician.

Which doctor should I contact?

If you have hip pain you should contact your GP or GP who will refer you to a specialist. Treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system:

• traumatologist— Hip pain due to physical activity, sprains, falls, and other injuries
• rheumatologist- Sudden onset of joint pain for no apparent reason

You may also want to consult with other doctors: surgeons, oncologists, infectious disease specialists, etc.

diagnosis

The first important stage in diagnosing hip pain is the external examination, which must include medical history and palpation. Depending on the severity of the disease and the patient's complaints, laboratory tests and instrumental diagnostic methods are prescribed:

• radiography- Use X-rays to examine specific areas of the body
• CT and MRI- Modern and accurate diagnostic methods that allow you to obtain information-rich images of the joint and its surrounding areas
• Microbiological examination of biological material samplesAllows detection of the presence of pathogenic microorganisms: viruses and bacteria
• immune blood test- Allows you to identify immune diseases and determine the presence of certain autoantibodies
• Arthroscopy (endoscopy)— Examination using a probe allows samples of joint tissue to be collected for further study
• Laboratory tests for effusion- Collect intra-articular fluid samples during puncture to identify the pathogens of infectious diseases and check for sterility

Using a combination of diagnostic methods allows us to identify the cause of hip pain with a high degree of accuracy.

treat

Treatment of hip pain should be done by a doctor based on examination and diagnosis. Often, medication or surgery is required.

drug

Treatment for hip pain should be comprehensive and aimed at eliminating the symptoms and, most importantly, the cause of the problem. For this purpose, medication is used, including the use of:

• NSAIDs- Helps reduce pain and relieve swelling
• Means to improve microcirculation- Helps restore blood circulation and nutrition to joint tissues
• chondroprotectant- Promote the repair of cartilage tissue
• muscle relaxants- Reduce pain and improve blood flow to damaged areas
• Hormone drugs- Relieves pain and suppresses inflammation

Physiological therapies are very effective when treating hip pain: massage, acupuncture, cryotherapy and laser therapy. Special therapeutic exercises and manual therapy are also used.

surgical

Surgical intervention is required when conservative treatments do not help the patient. This involves partial or complete replacement of the diseased joint with a prosthesis.

prevention

Reducing the load on the legs slows down pathological processes within the joints, so it is recommended for obese people to start losing weight.Preventative measures will help reduce hip pain:

• take a walk often
• physiotherapy
• A balanced diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E

Prompt consultation with a doctor in the first stages of the disease can increase the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the risk of complications and serious consequences for the body.