hip pain

Human hip joints are under tremendous pressure. Walking, lifting and carrying heavy objects, jumping, running, bending, other physical activity and even being overweight can put stress on the musculoskeletal system. Pain in the hip joint reduces its function, prevents free movement, and causes pain to the patient not only during movement but also at rest. It is important not to ignore pain and to seek help from a qualified physician as soon as symptoms of discomfort occur. Orthopedics, traumatologists, surgeons, neurologists, and many other specialists work together to evaluate hip symptoms, find the cause, and treat the pain.

cause of pain

There are many diseases and pathological conditions that may be associated with pain. Hip pain on the left or right side can be caused by injury, inflammatory and infectious diseases, various degenerative processes, problems with the supply of useful minerals to the bone tissue, etc.Injury to the soft tissue and bone and joint structures of the hip is the most common cause of discomfort. These include:

• bruises;
• penetrating injury;
• Femoral neck fracture;
• hip dislocation;
• Fractures of the acetabulum and upper part of the femur (so-called intertrochanteric fractures).

Among traumatic causes, ligament injuries (sprains, tears, ruptures) are less common. Most often, they result from patients sustaining serious injuries due to accidents, prolonged exposure to rubble, or from performing extreme stunts.Infectious, inflammatory, and degenerative diseases that may cause hip pain include:

• Various forms of arthritis (infectious arthritis, aseptic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis);
• Panarthritis - Complete suppurative inflammation of the hip joint;
• osteomyelitis;
• Tuberculosis of hip joint;
• Hip arthropathy and other types of joint disease;
• Bursitis;
• Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, including Perthes disease;
• chondromatosis;
• Trochantitis.

Other pathological factors include:

• Congenital hip dysplasia (dysplasia, congenital hip dislocation, shortened limbs);
• Various malignant and benign tumors;
• sciatic nerve neuropathy;
• Spinal diseases such as osteochondrosis, scoliosis, intervertebral hernia, etc.

Hip pain when walking or lying down may indicate excessive stress on the musculoskeletal system. Discomfort may occur after strength training, carrying heavy objects, or walking or standing for long periods of time. Dangerous groups include athletes, extreme sports enthusiasts, loaders, teachers, lecturers, sales staff, couriers, etc.Other causes of severe hip pain while walking and resting may be:

• Being overweight greatly increases the pressure on joints;
• Postural disorders;
• Unreasonable use of certain drugs;
• diabetes;
• Neuropsychiatric disorders.

The largest number of patients suffering from pain of varying intensity in this area are people over 50 years old. This is explained by age-related changes in the tissues surrounding the joints and the joints themselves. It has been observed that women are more prone to pain than men.

Types and symptoms of hip pain

The main manifestations are various types of unpleasant sensations in the joints: sharp, pulsating, sore, dull pain, cutting sensation, etc. The location and intensity of the pain syndrome depend on the initial disease and the health characteristics of the patient (presence of concomitant pathologies, overweight, risk factors). The pain syndrome often spreads to surrounding structures, radiating to the extremities, sacral and coccyx areas, and lower back.Symptoms that may accompany hip pain include:

• Swelling of tissues in the joint area;
• Creaking, clicking, and other sounds when moving;
• Can not move;
• numbness and decreased sensitivity in the legs;
• There is a sense of heat and pulsation in the injured area;
• Lame, drag the leg;
• limb shortening;
• Blood stasis;
• Increased body temperature.

Hip pain that radiates to the lower back, legs, groin, and sacral areas may indicate ankylosing spondylitis. The disease is also accompanied by symptoms such as stiffness of movement, knee discomfort, and periodic "low back pain. "Symmetrical pain in the buttock area, combined with conjunctivitis and genitourinary damage, may be a sign of Reiter's syndrome.Clinical manifestations are determined by the underlying disease or injury. In mild cases, the patient's movements are limited, but the ability to support the leg remains. For severe bruises, fractures, dislocations, and severe infectious and inflammatory diseases, the affected leg cannot be supported; the patient can only move with the help of auxiliary points, or may not be able to walk at all.

diagnosis

A comprehensive examination is required in order to determine the exact cause of pain, other symptoms of the underlying disease/injury, and select an effective treatment option.First, do a physical exam. The doctor evaluates the external signs of pathology, palpates the joint area, and asks detailed questions about the nature of the complaint, the time and circumstances of its occurrence, etc. Experts also need to know about previous surgical interventions and injuries, existing chronic conditions (including those not directly related to the musculoskeletal system), lifestyle, etc.A comprehensive and objective examination includes:

• Ultrasound (ultrasound) of the hip joint;
• Two projection X-rays of the pelvis;
• Magnetic resonance or computed tomography (according to indication);
• joint aspiration;
• diagnostic arthroscopy;
• Laboratory tests (general clinical blood and urine tests, biochemistry, rheumatoid factor analysis, tumor markers, etc. ).

The exact list of procedures is determined by the physician based on medical history, characteristics of the patient's current condition, and expected diagnosis.

Hip pain treatment

Medical care strategies depend on the cause of the pain. For sprains and bruises, the joint is immobilized, the patient is prescribed painkillers, and placed on strict bed rest. If dislocation occurs, realign the joint and immobilize the limb in a resting position. For fractures, skeletal traction, cast immobilization, or the wearing of special structures may be necessary.For hip pain caused by inflammatory or infectious causes, treatment may include:

• antibacterial drugs;
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• corticosteroid hormones;
• painkiller;
• chondroprotectant;
• Cytostatic;
• Ointments, creams, and other topical preparations that stimulate blood flow;
• vitamin complex;
• Synovial fluid substitutes.

Patients require comprehensive physical therapy, physiotherapy, and massage to restore motor activity, normalize joint nutrition, and eliminate signs of inflammation. This may include:

• massage;
• UHF;
• Laser Treatment;
• electrophoresis;
• magnet therapy;
• shockwave therapy;
• Spa and swimming.

Correct the patient's lifestyle: prevent obesity, normalize physical activity, limit strength load, etc.Surgical intervention is required if conservative treatments do not achieve the desired results or the primary disease is treated only surgically. It is performed using an open approach or using arthroscopic techniques. As part of surgical treatment for a condition that causes hip pain, the following may be done:

• Reduce dislocations;
• reconstruction of individual joint structures;
• Endoprosthesis;
• removal of tumors;
• joint fixation (arthrodesis);
• Joint replacement surgery.

These and other surgical treatments are chosen based on the diagnosis and characteristics of the patient's current condition. After surgical treatment, the patient will undergo a rehabilitation process.

complication

Hip pain cannot be ignored. Even mild and temporary discomfort can lead to serious illness down the road. In complex cases, the consequences can be irreversible. Possible complications include:

• limb deformities;
• limp;
• Pains turn into chronic forms (in this case, they are almost constant);
• Violation of intra-articular mechanisms;
• deep vein thrombosis;
• Heterotopic ossification (the formation of bony plates in soft tissue);
• joint;
• Contracture: Impaired joint movement;
• necrosis;
• Pathological fracture.

If left untreated, lesions can lead to ongoing mobility impairment, the inability to live a full life or even take care of oneself, and disability. Due to the extensive purulent process present in the hip joint area, septic toxic shock or sepsis may occur, which may be fatal if left untreated.

prevention

First, experts recommend maintaining a healthy lifestyle:

• Exercise more, but don’t overload your body with overtraining;
• Monitor weight to prevent obesity;
• Eat a nutritious and varied diet (nutrition should be balanced in terms of essential macronutrients and micronutrients, as well as total caloric content);
• Do not use systemic medications without a doctor's prescription.

For people whose professional activities force them to spend a lot of time on their feet, it is recommended to give the body regular rest and undergo a preventive examination by an orthopedic traumatologist at least once a year.Patients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system must be observed by the pharmacy, strictly adhere to medical instructions and monitor their condition.To prevent hip injuries, it is recommended to avoid extreme sports, wear protective equipment when exercising, and not perform complex sports without the necessary skills and physical training.Older people are advised to use extra caution when moving in icy conditions and not to go out unless absolutely necessary.

Treatment of hip pain in a specialized clinic

The doctors at the multidisciplinary center are senior specialists with the necessary practical skills and extensive knowledge in various fields of medicine. They consider patient problems individually and develop diagnosis and treatment plans taking into account all health characteristics. Experts use a comprehensive approach to address a variety of health issues. They not only eliminate specific symptoms, but also try to identify and eliminate their causes, obvious and non-obvious consequences. This is the only way to fully restore a patient's health and give him a chance to live a normal life, moving without pain or restrictions.When seeking medical help from the clinic's doctors, everyone has the right to rely on the friendliness, recovery assistance and objectivity of the specialists and junior staff.