Pain in the hip joint - Causes, symptoms and treatment. MF.

Pain in the hip joint can be associated with damage to its various structures or a number of located tissues( bones, cartilage, tendons, muscles, fascia, etc.).

Pain associated with hip joint damage is not always a concern in the joint area, it can spread all over the thigh, descend to the shin. Conversely, pain in the region of the hip joint can be associated with damage to the joint, not, for example, the lumbar spine.

In addition to patients' pain, joint mobility is often disturbed( stiffness) - hip flexion is disrupted, lateral movements suffer.

Possible causes of hip pain

The two most dangerous( but fortunately not the most particular) causes of hip pain are fractures and aseptic necrosis of the femoral head.

Fracture of the femur( especially its neck - the narrowest part) - a very serious problem, especially in the elderly. Because of its often significantly reduced human activity, in addition, the elderly often the recovery period occurs with severe complications( infection, thrombosis, etc.).The risk of fracture increases with age, and especially the risk in the presence of osteoporosis( reducing bone density and strength).

Aseptic necrosis of the head of the femur is the destruction and destruction of the articular part of the femur, which occurs due to the cessation of its blood supply. This condition can be a complication when taking glucocorticoid( hormonal) drugs, with antiphospholipid thrombosis and some other diseases.

Other causes of pain in the hip joint are much more common.

Arthritis - inflammation of the joint( with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis).
Bursitis of the pouch - inflammation of the fluid sac( bag), which is located above the projection of the femur.
Joint damage in various rheumatic diseases, for example, in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons.
Infection of the joint.
Injury to the joint.
Meniscal lesions.
Sprain of ligaments and tendons.

Other causes are much less common, for example, tumors of bones and soft tissues.

What should I do if there is pain in the hip joint?

If you suspect that a slight pain is associated with a minor injury or an overload of the joint, then the following measures can be taken:

avoid stresses on the joint, ensure peace of mind;
Take acetaminophen( paracetamol) or ibuprofen( or some other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug);
during sleep it is desirable to lie on a healthy side.

Even with a slight suspicion of a fracture of the femur, the doctor should be urgently called.

In case of severe, persistent or persistent pain, visible joint deformity, reddening of the thigh and its heating, changes in the color of the leg below the hip and sensitivity, and if there is a suspicion of injury, it is necessary to see a doctor immediately.

Frequent mistakes of self-treatment:

In case of ineffectiveness of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, especially for a long time it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Self-use of various herbal and homeopathic medicines.

Do not consult a doctor with severe injury or accompanying symptoms.

What kind of specialist doctors can I use to help me when I have hip pain?

• Rheumatologist.
• Traumatologist or orthopedist.
• Physiotherapist.
• Neurologist