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Jan 14
2016

Is your hip hurting?  The hip joint is designed to withstand repeated motion and lots of wear and tear.  Even though the hip joint is durable, it isn’t indestructible.  Hip pain can be caused by a wide variety of things such as overuse and wear and tear.

If your hips are hurting you, uncovering the cause is the key to finding the best treatment option.  Here are the most common answers to the question “Why do my hips hurt?”

Your Hips May Hurt Due to Fractures

Factors such as age, disease and gender (being a woman) puts you at greater risk of suffering a hip fracture.  90% of hip fractures are due to falling.  Common hip fracture symptoms include pain when you stand, lift or straighten your leg.

Your Hips May Hurt Due to Tendonitis

There are lots of tendons around the hip that connect the muscles to the joint.  If overused, these tendons can become inflamed, causing tendonitis.

Your Hips May Hurt Due to Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of hip pain.  It’s a degenerative joint disease that causes the cartilage in joints to break down.  Cartilage helps to cushion our joints and protect the surface of our bones.  If it is damaged or worn away over time, your bones will grind against one another which can be extremely painful.

Your Hips May Hurt Due to Sciatica

Sciatica is pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve—from your lower back through your hips, buttocks and down each leg.  Sciatica can occur when a herniated disc compresses part of the nerve on the spine.  It can causes pain, numbness and inflammation.

If you have minor hip pain, you can try these simple tips:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Ice or heat
• Rest
• Weight loss
• Gentle exercise

If your hip pain is associated with any of the following, seek medical attention immediately:

• Intense pain
• Swelling
• Inability to move your leg or hip or bear weight on the affected leg

Always consult a medical professional before beginning any stretching or exercise protocol.

Have you been asking yourself, “why do my hips hurt?”  We can help!  Schedule an appointment with Above & Beyond Physical Therapy to find out what is causing your hip pain and discover the ideal treatment specific to you.