Hip pain: causes and treatment

If you feel pain in the hip joint, you need to determine the cause.Treatment of pain depends on the pathology of which it is a symptom.Comprehensive measures and strict adherence to the recommendations will help get rid of the disease and maintain the motor activity of the joint.Limited function of the hip joint makes active movement impossible.Reduced functionality limits the patient's ability to move and work independently.

Anatomical features

A large joint connects the femur and pelvic bones and provides the ability to move in three directions: flexion and extension, abduction and rotation of the lower extremity.Degenerative changes lead to deformities, restrict movement and cause pain.

The blood supply to the hip joint comes from the main femoral arteries located in the area of the joint.Pathologies that can affect vascular capacity lead to oxygen deprivation and nutrient deficiency.

Large nerve trunks of the sciatic nerve, the obturator nerve and the femoral nerve provide the innervation.Compression or pinching of nerve endings leads to severe neurological pain in the pelvic area.
 

Causes of hip pain

The development of diseases of various origins in the hip joint area leads to serious health problems and even disabilities.The appearance of pain in the hip joint accompanies any pathology at different stages of its development.

The cause of the pain determines its type and intensity.Acute pain arises from injuries, inflammatory, purulent processes, while aching, non-intense sensations arise from chronic diseases.

Numerous pathologies of unknown origin and congenital defects lead to the appearance of symptoms.The syndrome is initially present or may appear as a result of the progression of the pathological condition.

cause diseases

• Trauma of varying severity is one of the most common causes.Bruises, sprains and fractures cause mechanical damage to bones and ligaments.On the first day after the injury, severe pain in the hip joint is observed.The pain then subsides and becomes dulled.Common injuries: pelvic fracture, hip dislocation, femoral neck fracture.All of the above injuries occur after a direct, serious injury from a fall or blow.The situation becomes even more complicated if a person has a history of osteoporosis or degenerative changes in the cartilage and bone tissue of the joint.
• Myositis ossificans is characterized by inflammation of the connective tissue of the joint capsule.Appears after an injury or when inherited from parents.The progressive course leads to morphological changes in the cartilage tissue, which over time degenerates into bone formations.
• A dislocated hip, whether it occurs at birth or develops in the womb, results in deformities, limited mobility, and pinched nerves.With this pathology, not only somatic but also neuropathic pain occurs in the hip joint.
• Coxarthrosis is a common disease of older people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or perform heavy physical work.Dystrophic cartilage changes and resulting bone deformations cause pain.The first symptoms appear as a result of severe stress.The advanced course is accompanied by a constant dull pain that does not go away even with rest or long sleep.The worsening of the syndrome continues in parallel with progressive changes in the hip joint.
• Arthritis – inflammation of the joint capsule is accompanied by severe throbbing pain.It can occur as an independent disease or as a complication after an injury or infectious disease.
• Reiter's syndrome is a reactive lesion of an allergic nature that most often occurs after infectious pathologies.There are cases when the disease develops after chlamydia or gonococci penetrate the joint capsule.The pathology is accompanied by acute pain in the hip joint and tissue swelling.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease of the immune system in which the body's own cells recognize healthy tissue as a foreign organism and attempt to destroy it.This condition leads to a change in the joint tissue against the background of severe inflammatory processes.
• Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic disease of the joints of a chronic nature.The localization of the process in the sacroiliac region is accompanied by pain in the pelvic region, which progresses mainly at night.The patient's pain increases in the morning, the stiffness disappears after active movements or physical exercise.
• Osteochondritis dissecans, also called Koenig's disease, develops in the cartilage that comes into contact with the femur.The cartilage begins to delaminate, with a small area becoming further separated.The condition is often complicated by the addition of synovitis.Patients complain of pain in the hip joint;In the final stage, complete blockage occurs due to the presence of necrotic cartilage tissue in the joint cavity.
• Legg-Calvé-Perthess disease is a pathology similar to osteochondropathy that occurs when blood circulation and nutrition in the hip joint are impaired.It is characterized by gradual necrosis of the femoral head, accompanied by pain and gait disturbances due to the acquired shortening of the limb.The disease is considered pediatric because children of preschool and elementary school age are more commonly affected.
• Bursitis is an inflammation of the synovial bursa with subsequent filling with pathogenic fluid.The disease occurs in the bursa near the hip joint and causes pain, especially during physical activity or palpation.
• Synovitis is an inflammatory lesion of the synovial membrane lining the walls of the joint capsule.In the acute phase, severe pain in the hip joint occurs constantly;In the chronic course, the symptoms smooth out.
• Symphysitis - changes in the tissue of the pubic symphysis with divergence of the pubic bones.Occurs during pregnancy and childbirth.The pathology is inflammatory in nature and is accompanied by severe pain in the pubic area, which spreads to the hip joint area.
• Radicular syndrome in the pelvic area is manifested by neuropathic pain.The syndrome occurs due to compression of large nerves in the area connecting the femur and pelvic bones by bone growth and deformed tissue.
• The varus foot deformity, clubfoot, can be a congenital defect or an acquired disease.Improperly distributed load on the feet due to the inward displacement of the forefoot has a negative effect on the hip and knee joints.Over time, due to improper measures or lack of treatment, the hip joint deforms, causing pain.
• Enthesopathy is a degenerative-dystrophic process in the ligaments of the joint.The processes are often accompanied by inflammation.The painful condition leads to a weakening of the ligament and tendon structure with possible tearing of the connective tissue.In addition, certain areas become ossified, which limits the functionality of the joint.
• Intermittent hydrarthrosis is a chronic joint disease in which there is increased synovial fluid synthesis, which is accompanied by an increase in joint volume and a pain-related decrease in motor activity.
• Synovial chondromatosis is the degeneration of areas of the synovial membrane of the joint into cartilaginous formations.New growths can reach the size of a matchbox.Accompanied by severe pain during movements, a decrease in amplitude up to complete blockage of the hip joint.
• Juvenile epiphysiolysis is a pathological displacement of the femoral head downwards and backwards.Boys become ill during puberty when a malfunction occurs due to an imbalance in the synthesis of sex hormones and growth hormones.When trying to move the leg, pain occurs in the hip joint.
• Due to an acute circulatory disorder in the hip joint, aseptic necrosis of the femoral head can occur.Against the background of the death of bone tissue, severe pain turns into a burning sensation, which severely limits the ability to move the affected leg.The attacks last several days and pass before the next acute phase occurs.
• There are known cases of gout developing in the hip joint.Excessive formation of uric acid with insufficient excretion crystallizes and settles in the joint cavity, gradually filling it.During a gout attack, pain occurs that is unbearable.
• Malignant neoplasms in bones or surrounding tissue.

Symptoms

Pain in the hip joint is divided into 3 grades:

1. mild – accompanies minor injuries and consequences after heavy strain on the thigh and gluteal muscles;
2. medium – occurs in dystrophic, inflammatory and infectious pathologies, can be local in nature or radiate to the lower extremity or pubic bone;
3. strong - occurs with bone fractures, severe dislocations, accompanied by a severe limitation of movement in the joint and sometimes paralysis.

Pain that progresses at night and disappears during the day occurs in pathologies with blockage of blood vessels.A lack of blood flow can cause numbness, tingling, and tingling.

Many diseases are associated with inflammation of the joint capsule, ligaments or surrounding tissue.

In this case, characteristic symptoms appear:

• Swelling around the hip joint occurs due to a violation of the outflow of excess fluid, while the skin stretches and becomes shiny;
• Change in skin color over the sore spot: from moderately red to bluish;
• a local increase in temperature in the joint area is due to a reaction to acute inflammation;
• If the course is severe, there is a general intoxication of the body, which is accompanied by headaches, joint pain and fever.

Methods for diagnosing the hip joint

For a detailed examination, a number of studies are carried out, which help to create a complete picture of the disease that has arisen:

• a laboratory blood test indicates latent or obvious inflammation and the presence of rheumatoid factor;
• bacteriological examination of the synovial fluid to determine the inflammatory pathogen;
• Biopsy of suspicious tissue for the presence of a malignant factor;
• An X-ray examination of the hip joint from different sides will help identify signs of tissue deformation.
• Ultrasound examination of the joint;
• Doppler is an ultrasound method used to assess blood circulation;
• Computed tomography.

Treatment of the hip joint

If the hip joint hurts, the therapeutic measures can vary depending on the disease.It all depends on the pathology, the symptom of which is unpleasant pain.The spectrum of treatment is determined by medication, physiotherapeutic treatment, therapeutic exercises and methods of alternative medicine.Strict adherence to the recommendations and fulfillment of all prescriptions leads to the normalization of the condition.Only a doctor should prescribe medications and medicines.

Drug therapy

1. Anesthetics may be used to provide temporary pain relief.Analgesics do not treat the cause of hip pain, but they can effectively relieve the symptom for a short time.
2. If the pain is severe, a blockade is performed if non-narcotic painkillers have no effect.
3. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used as anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic agents.The medicine is taken strictly according to the instructions, without exceeding the dosage, so as not to cause side effects in the gastrointestinal tract.
4. For severe inflammation that cannot be treated with non-hormonal drugs, glucocorticosteroids have a positive therapeutic effect.Steroid hormones have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antihistamine effects.They can be injected directly into the diseased joint through a puncture.
5. If there are accompanying purulent infections, antibiotics are prescribed.Antibacterial agents have a detrimental effect on the pathogen and destroy the cause of the pathology.In addition to antibiotics, the patient is prescribed probiotics to normalize the intestinal flora.
6. Muscle relaxants – effectively relax muscles and eliminate cramps.Medication reduces the tone to the point of immobilization and thus relieves pain in the pelvic area.
7. Diuretics remove fluid, prevent swelling and negative effects on heart activity.
8. Vitamin therapy is intended to strengthen immunity and improve general well-being.Biochemical processes that ensure the body's vital functions occur optimally.
9. In the case of degenerative processes that destroy the joint, chondroprotectors are taken for a long period of time in order to stop the degenerative process and recover independently.The drugs contain chondroitin and glucosamine, the deficiency of which leads to an imbalance in the joint.The medication is used in tablet form and is also injected into the joint.
10. Sedative for unbalanced mental states.A nervous system disorder occurs when a person experiences constant, debilitating pain in the hip joint.
11. Angioprotectors to improve blood microcirculation.They improve metabolic processes in the walls of blood vessels and increase their permeability.

Physiotherapeutic treatment of hip pain

Modern methods of auxiliary therapy relieve pain in the affected area and help to quickly eliminate the pathology.Modern medicine has numerous methods available to relieve pain in the hip joint.

Each of the methods has the purpose:

• Improving blood circulation in the tissues of the hip joint;
• reduce inflammation;
• relieve pain;
• prevent the development of edema;
• improve metabolic processes in cells;
• Start the tissue’s self-healing processes;
• strengthen the immune system.

Laser therapy allows you to influence the joint up to a depth of 9 cm.Laser beams aimed at the affected area heat the thickness of the tissue right down to the bones.The healing effect on the nerve processes reduces pain.This method is intended to relieve inflammation;The analgesic effect is also added.

Electrophoresis uses galvanic current to penetrate deep into tissue.In conjunction with anti-inflammatory or analgesic medications, a low-strength, low-voltage direct current is prescribed to deliver them through a chemical reaction.

Magnetic therapy ensures the penetration of the magnetic pulse current to a depth of 7 to 12 cm.The treatment is carried out in courses, the effect occurs at the end of the treatment period and lasts until the start of the next session.To improve the health of the hip joint, a device that relieves pain and stimulates regenerative processes is suitable.

Shock wave therapy involves short-term exposure to low-frequency acoustic impulses.It is used to eliminate inflammatory phenomena and provides a type of high-frequency massage.Collagen synthesis begins, blood supply and tissue trophism improve.

Orthopedic medical devices

With the help of orthoses and rehabilitation items, a reduction in the severity of pain in the hip joint can be achieved.Modern developers of medical products have taken care of the possible difficulties that patients will face in advance.

Injuries to the femoral neck require complete immobilization for several months.In order not to apply a massive plaster cast to the entire lower extremity, there is an orthosis with a rigid degree of fixation - a “derotation boot”.It is convenient for the patient to use the product in practice, safe from the point of view of allergenicity (plaster causes skin irritation and allergies) and for others to care for the victim's leg.

An anti-decubitus mattress is indispensable if a person has to lie on it for several months.During the rehabilitation phase, when the first steps are taken after an injury, a walking aid is initially used for independent mobility.For greater stability, crutches are used and then a cane to provide support while walking.

Symphysitis causes a lot of suffering due to severe pain in the pubic and pelvic areas.To relieve the painful condition, unload the hip joint, compress and support it with the help of rigid ribs.An orthopedic corset for the pelvic ring is used.

Choosing the right shoes is very important for the correct relief of the hip joint.Shock-absorbing, preventative insoles for everyday use relieve many problems not only with the joints, but also with the spine.

The applicator has been proven effective in relieving pain and improving blood circulation.When plastic needles come into close contact with the painful area, they initially cause pain and then turn into pleasant warmth.In the acute phase, the session time is 5 minutes up to 6 times a day, and in chronic pain it is 15 minutes up to 3 times a day.

Therapeutic gymnastics

Movement therapy lessons play a special role.The more movements a joint performs under controlled load, the more synovial fluid is produced, which is necessary for the nutrition and performance of the tissue.An exercise set is put together individually for each patient by a medical instructor.

The exercises are performed in the remission stage, when there is no pain.The technique of correct movement execution is explained by a physiotherapist and reproduced under the supervision of a specialist.Movements should not be sharp or sweeping;The number of repetitions should correspond exactly to the instructions.

Therapeutic exercises improve blood circulation, strengthen the thigh muscles, increase motor skills in the pelvic joint, make walking easier and improve immunity.Every exercise must be coordinated;Incorrect actions lead to an attack of pain, increased blood pressure and the occurrence of microtrauma, which leads to inflammation.

A set of exercises to do at home:

• While lying down, bend your knees at a right angle, pull both legs to your chest at the same time and create slight resistance with your hands.
• Without changing position, pull your bent legs up one at a time and hold them for a few seconds.
• Lie on your right side, lift your left leg, bending it at the knee and repeat the same action with the other leg.
• in a prone position, stretch your arms along the body, raise the straight leg by 15 cm, hold for 5 seconds, make alternating movements with both legs;
• Sit on a chair, raise your legs parallel to the floor and repeat the movements with each leg.

Surgical treatment of the hip joint

If conservative treatment does not bring the desired result, surgery is performed to alleviate the patient's condition.There are different methods of surgical care:

1. Arthroscopic debridement – cleaning the inner walls of the joints from necrotic particles, followed by washing with a medicinal solution.The manipulation is carried out in an operating room.
2. Periarticular osteotomy – a fracture of the articular bones is performed to perform the connection at a different angle and reduce the load on the diseased joint.
3. Endoprosthetics refers to the replacement of a diseased joint with an artificial one;The method involves active rehabilitation measures after surgery.

Traditional medicine

Affordable and safe recipes from healers with centuries of experience will help relieve pain in the hip joint and speed up recovery.Before use, you should consult to rule out contraindications.

1. Peel and chop a clove of garlic, add finely chopped celery root and a lemon with peel.Mix all the ingredients, add hot water and leave in a cool place for a day.Take 1 spoon for 30 days.
2. Linden and birch bud tea can be drunk daily to relieve inflammation.A teaspoon of linden flowers and birch buds is brewed with hot water.After 30 minutes the brew is ready to use.
3. Prepare herbal mixture: St. John's wort, chamomile and immortelle, mix 1 tablespoon each.Pour the composition into 500 ml of water and boil for 10 minutes.Take the product 50 ml three times a day.
4. Chop the beets finely, add a little honey and 30 ml of vodka.Apply the resulting mixture to the painful joint and secure it on top with plastic wrap.The compress is covered with a warm blanket throughout the night.
5. Mix mustard powder with honey and vegetable oil.Gauze folded in several layers is dipped into the composition and applied to the joint.Do not keep the compress for longer than 60 minutes.
6. Wash the cabbage leaf, grease it with honey and apply to the hip joint area.Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and cabbage relieves pain in the affected joint.
7. Crushed celandine leaves are mixed with a small amount of olive oil.The mixture is infused for 7 days and then used to rub the painful area.
8. It is necessary to chop and combine hop cones and St. John's wort, add petroleum jelly until an ointment-like consistency is obtained.Rub into the painful joint twice a day.
9. Mix red pepper, kerosene and vegetable oil and let sit for 3 weeks.Use as a rub no more than once a day.

Prevention of hip joint injuries

To prevent pain in the hip joint, simple recommendations will help:

• Lifestyle should be active and include regular light physical exercises.
• Proper nutrition is the basis of health: exclude fatty, salty and smoked foods, alcohol, sausages, chocolate, confectionery;
• Do not overload the joints with tiring physical activity or heavy work.
• Use preventative bandages to relieve pressure on the pelvic joint.
• Wear comfortable shoes that meet orthopedic standards.
• If unpleasant symptoms appear in the hip joint area, consult a doctor for an examination and prescribe effective treatment.