What’s Causing My Hip Pain?

Hip pain is one of those annoying issues that never discriminate on any basis. It can affect anyone of any age, from a teenager dealing with a sports injury to an older adult managing their old joints. But while anyone can have hip pain, the cause can vary wildly from one person to another.

If you currently find yourself in a similar predicament – unable to figure out the source of your hip pain, don’t worry, as this guide’s got you covered. Let us go through all the potential causes of hip pain and help you understand when it may be time to seek professional help.

Common causes of hip pain

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of hip pain, especially in older adults. It is a condition characterised by the slow degeneration of the cartilage in our joints, a smooth tissue that cushions them. As we grow old, the cartilage tends to wear away, and the bones of our joints begin to rub against each other. This, in turn, leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility characteristic of osteoarthritis. While it is always recommended to receive a diagnosis from a hip specialist, if you want to know if your hip pain stems from osteoarthritis yourself, here’s a tip: The pain from OA often feels worse in the morning or after sitting for extended periods, and it tends to progress gradually over time rather than appearing suddenly.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a little different from OA. It is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of your joints, causing pain and inflammation in the process. Unlike the pain you experience from the cartilage withering away in OA, rheumatoid arthritis can cause swelling and a warm feeling around the joint, along with decreased mobility. Not only does the pain from this condition affect both hips simultaneously, but you may also experience pain in other joints of the body.

Septic arthritis

Septic arthritis is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. This can occur when an infection enters the joint, causing pain, fever, and sometimes chills in the affected area.

During this, the hip may feel hot to the touch, and you’ll likely find it impossible to move without severe discomfort. As the NHS suggests, you should get yourself checked into a hospital as soon as possible to prevent any permanent damage. You’ll need to stay there for two weeks, as the doctors will administer strong antibiotics to treat the infection. Once you’re relieved, you’ll need to follow up with physiotherapy to get the joint back to normal.

Sprains or strains

These are muscle, tendon, and ligament-related injuries that typically happen from overexertion, sudden movements, or awkward twisting motions. You may experience a sprain after lifting something heavy incorrectly, making a sharp turn while running, or even from a fall. Fortunately, the pain from this problem is usually localised, worsens only with specific movements, and heals in a short while.

Hip fractures

Hip fractures are serious injuries that usually result from trauma or weakened bones. They are also particularly common in older adults with osteoporosis, during which even a minor fall can cause the joint to break. The hallmark of a hip fracture is sudden, sharp pain that prevents bearing weight on the affected leg. If it’s indeed a fracture, you may also notice that the affected leg appears shorter or turns outward at an unusual angle.

Bursitis

This condition involves the inflammation of the bursa sacs, which are small, fluid-filled cushions that reduce the friction between our bones and soft tissues. When this happens, you’ll likely feel a bit of pain during movement or when pressure is applied directly to the hip. Bursitis often develops from repetitive activities or prolonged lying on one side. If you feel that you’re suffering from bursitis, a bit of rest combined with consistent ice pack therapy should do the trick, and you should be back to normal within a week or two.

Repetitive strain injury

This is a peculiar injury that affects people who repeatedly perform the same motion; runners, cyclists, and construction workers are often very prone to it. The pain from the strain tends to worsen during or after the repetitive activity. Unlike acute injuries, it develops slowly and can become chronic if the underlying cause isn’t addressed.

What is the most common cause of hip pain in older adults?

As mentioned above, osteoarthritis is often the main culprit behind hip pain in older adults, caused by the natural wear-and-tear of the joint cartilage. Interestingly, osteoarthritis exhibits several characteristics exclusive to older adults. For instance, you may notice some stiffness creep in after sitting for a while, or there’s a bit of swelling after any activity. Your walking tolerance may also decrease to the point where you can no longer walk without pain and discomfort. Some people also describe a grinding sensation in the joint, or they notice their hip quickly losing strength and suddenly giving way.

Fortunately, doctors and researchers have developed a ton of management techniques that can help you circumvent this problem and still enjoy life to the fullest. The first on the list is physiotherapy, which can strengthen muscles and reduce pressure on the joint. Then a bit of weight management can go a long way here, as every extra pound adds a lot more stress to our joints, especially the hips and knees.

If the pain is too difficult to handle, you can always turn to over-the-counter medications to find relief as well. Not only that, but you can also start using assistive devices like walking sticks to reduce strain on your joints. But if there is one thing you must definitely do, it’s to begin identifying and managing the condition as early as possible. That alone can slow its progression down to a crawl and help you maintain your natural mobility for years to come.

What is a red flag for hip pain?

Red flags are essentially symptoms that suggest that self-management is not going to cut it for your hip pain – what you need is immediate medical attention now.

Some key red flags include:

• The inability to bear any weight on your leg, suggesting a fracture or severe joint problem
• Severe and sudden pain following a fall
• Developing a fever or experiencing unnatural chills and warmth while struggling with hip pain
• Visible swelling that appears around the hip joint
• Strange and obvious deformity of the leg
• Numbness or tingling after an injury (indicates nerve damage)

If any of these red flags appear, seek immediate care and stop all your normal activities for a while. These are signs of severe conditions like fractures, septic arthritis, and other emergencies where delays can lead to permanent damage or serious complications. Studies have shown time and again that early detection and treatment of severe hip conditions significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of long-term disability, which is why it is recommended that you seek help as soon as possible when faced with any of these situations.

Other factors that may influence hip pain

In addition to the hip pain culprits discussed so far, some nonpathologic factors can also contribute to the problem. Poor posture, for one, can alter the mechanics of our hip joint, leading to significant pain and problems. In a similar vein, if your core muscles are weak, then that could cause problems too, as your core stabilises your pelvis. If these muscles don’t do their job correctly, your hips will need to handle much more stress than usual. Footwear that lacks proper support can affect how your body distributes weight, which, in turn, can also negatively impact your hips. For some women, menstrual cycle changes or pregnancy-related shifts can temporarily affect hip mobility and comfort due to hormonal fluctuations and physical changes.

What does the diagnosis and treatment of hip pain look like?

When you first visit a specialist, you’ll need to share your medical history and undergo a physical examination, during which your current mobility level will be assessed. This may also be followed by an X-ray or MRI to get a clearer picture of what’s happening to your joint.

Once the problem has been identified, your doctor will devise a treatment plan tailored to your condition. It may start with a slew of conservative approaches: physiotherapy to strengthen supporting muscles, activity modification, tailored exercise plans, and pain medication. In more severe cases, the doctor may also recommend getting steroid injections to reduce inflammation and get more relief from the pain.

If conservative care proves ineffective and your quality of life remains severely affected, your last resort will be to undergo a surgical procedure. While this may sound somewhat scary, do note that most hip-related surgeries boast a high long-term success rate and are generally safe for most patients. If you’re considering specialist assessment or want expert guidance on your treatment options, speak to a hip doctor in London to understand the best path forward for your specific situation.

Moving forward with confidence

At the end of the day, hip pain is both a prevalent issue and a manageable one, so long as you know what’s causing it. Most of the causes discussed today can be treated effectively without surgery through the right combination of physiotherapy, lifestyle modifications, and medical support – it all comes down to identifying them on time and taking the right course of action.

So if your hip pain has been stealing your life, or in worst cases, is accompanied by any red flag symptoms, don’t wait – seek professional support now to receive not only a clear treatment plan, but also the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what you’re dealing with.