Causes of hip joint pain and treatment methods

27 November 2022

The bone-joint structure of a person is characterized by a complex structure and includes a variety of elements. The hip joint is one of the largest and most loaded joints in the human musculoskeletal system. It is located at the junction of the femur and pelvis. The joint has a peculiar structure, which ensures the free mobility of the member in different directions. It is to this joint that the ability of a person to walk upright is associated. With the appearance of painful discomfort in the hip joint, there is a serious decrease in its functionality with problems with movement or sitting. In some cases, limb numbness is possible.

The main causes of pain

In order to start treatment of pathologies of the hip joint in a timely manner, it is necessary to undergo a full examination as soon as possible in order to diagnose diseases and the causes of their manifestation. At the same time, the diagnosis can be difficult, since pain is provoked by a wide variety of problems - injuries, skeletal diseases, background pathologies of internal organs. The intensity and nature of the pain also vary. They can be painful and sharp, burning.

For the most part, complaints of pain in the hip joint can be heard in patients over 50 years old. Also, such violations are usually found in women. This refers to the pathologies of the joint itself or the hip.

Pain can be caused by factors that affect the state of the joint:

Problems of traumatic origin - fractures affecting the femoral neck, direct contusions of the joint region, severe hip dislocations. Myositis ossificans, which arose and evolves due to injuries inflicted on the joint, can cause discomfort and pain. Specialists also note frequent fractures of the pelvic bones, the development of epiphysiolysis of the femoral head.
Damage to connective tissue in the hip joint, caused by the development of Reiter's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
Pathological disorders of the joint, which occur against the background of degenerative processes in the tissue area. For example, we are talking about coxarthrosis.
Osteochondropathic manifestations caused by the progression of osteochondritis dissecans, Legg-Calve-Perthes pathology.
Deviations in skeletal development processes. For example, this applies to the varus epiphyseal deformity of the foot, which is typical of adolescent patients.
Inflammatory changes in soft joint tissues. These pathologies include bursitis, transient synovitis, coxitis of the articular variety due to the action of the tubercle bacillus.

Traumatic causes of pain syndrome

With the appearance of pain in the hip joint, one should pay attention to pathologies of a traumatic nature that can cause:

Congenital damage to the hip in the form of dislocation, which occurs due to improper conduct of the birth process or forms in the prenatal stage of the child's development. Such a violation can be quickly diagnosed already in newborns. They will have unevenness in the gluteal folds and may show signs of a shortening of one leg. In some cases, a pinched nerve occurs. Experts recommend paying close attention to the signs of such deviations, as the disease itself is considered dangerous. It often leads to the preservation of the consequences of the trauma for the rest of life.
Hip dislocation of a traumatic nature - there are sharp pains, with which the ability to perform movements is lost. The patient cannot assume an upright position or sit. Edema and hematoma form in the area of \u200b\u200bthe damaged joint. If there are signs of hip dislocation, then any physical loads are contraindicated. Sports during this period lead to a deterioration in the patient's condition, cause the development of negative changes and pathological disorders in the hip joint. With such injuries, treatment should be started immediately.
Fracture of the femoral neck, which is often characteristic of women over 60 years of age. This condition is caused by a fall or blow aimed at the hip joint area. When a fracture occurs, the patient feels an acute pain syndrome. This pain will intensify during movement. Gradually, the pain moves to the inner side of the thigh. At the site of injury, swelling and hematoma appear. With a fracture, shortening of the limbs is observed, a person's gait is characterized by lameness, clicks are heard in the area of \u200b\u200bthe joints. The damage often causes a pinched nerve, resulting in thigh numbness.
Pertrochanteric fracture of the femur - accompanied by severe or moderate pain. When the patient is in motion, the pain begins to intensify. A possible consequence is a pinched nerve, which causes back pain and numbness in the extremities.
Getting a bruise on the hip joint. The pain syndrome is moderate, but active movement can provoke its increase. In this case, the pain subsides and disappears when the person is at rest. This factor is considered the most common. Hematomas are diagnosed in patients with frequent falls, especially in the elderly. The patient complains of claudication, but this symptom disappears relatively quickly.

Injuries to the hip joint caused by trauma are considered by specialists to be the main cause of pain. With severe fractures and dislocations, in many cases, surgical intervention is prescribed. An indication for immediate admission to the hospital is a pinched nerve and numbness of the limb.

The influence of systemic pathologies on the onset of pain

A frequent cause of pain in the hip joint when walking or in another body position is the development of systemic connective tissue injuries. For such pathologies, a constant process of therapy is necessary, as they belong to the group of practically incurable ones. It is important to ensure comprehensive treatment with an impact on the causes of the onset and progression of pain and other symptoms.

Among the systemic pathologies that can cause pain in the hip joint, the following stand out:

Ankylosing spondylitis, which causes dull pain in the joint. Patients affected by this disease notice an increase in negative symptoms at night. Typically, the sensations are localized in the sacrum or pelvis area. Pain syndrome is able to give to the knee joint, thigh, groin area. Frequent shots are possible. In this state, walking and other movements are difficult, the patient has stiffness. The pain in the thigh region is intense and the joint is affected by the inflammatory process.
Reiter's syndrome - accompanied by damage to the joint part, as well as to the organs of the genitourinary system. There is a parallel inflammatory process in the conjunctiva. This is an autoimmune disease that is caused by the action of an intestinal infection. The development of the pathological process can begin several weeks and even months after the penetration of pathogens into the body. Patients complain of sharp pain in the hip. Pain syndrome also affects the joints. This causes an increase in body temperature. There is swelling in the pelvic area on the left and right sides. This pathology is usually associated with the symmetrical nature of joint damage.
Arthritis of the rheumatoid type, in which connective tissue damage is observed. The process of development of the disease does not cause the formation and release of purulent masses. Usually, the pathology becomes a harbinger, indicating the possibility of developing coxarthrosis of the hip joint. The disease progresses gradually, although the initial symptoms are swelling and swelling. The patient begins to complain of discomfort during movement, the pain is severe. An inflammatory process occurs in the joint, which leads to an increase in general and local temperature. The further development of changes is accompanied by stiffness of movements, activation of pain syndrome in the side-lying position. Pathology in most cases develops symmetrically. Destruction of the hip joint leads to nerve compression and numbness of the extremities. A quick start of the therapeutic process is necessary.

Pathologies of a systemic nature often cause a lot of inconvenience to patients. There are pains that vary in intensity and character. They can be sharpened, sharpened, pulling. It is very difficult to get rid of such discomfort on your own, even finding the body at rest does not help. Therefore, targeted treatment is necessary, especially when the pathology is detected in newborns. Ignoring the symptoms can make a person's condition worse.

Pain caused by degenerative diseases

Often, patients notice the presence of sharp, burning or pulling pains in the joints, but they have not suffered injuries and are not diagnosed with autoimmune diseases. In this case, the degenerative changes caused by these diseases can become the cause:

Varus epiphyseal deformity, which is more common among teenagers. Pains are annoying and pulling, can be given in the inner zone of the knee joint. Heightened sensations occur when running or during other sports activities. Shootings are periodically observed, clicks are heard in the joint.
Coxarthrosis, which is considered a fairly common pathology of the hip joint. A violation can be detected in patients, regardless of gender. The disease requires a long and complex therapy. It causes an active progression of joint disorders of a degenerative and destructive nature. The main symptomatology is reduced to the feeling of pain in the joint after physical exertion. At rest, these sensations disappear, there are no restrictions on movements. Subsequently, the pain radiates to the groin and thigh area. With daily stress, this symptomatology increases, although at rest it disappears. With prolonged walking, lameness begins to appear, clicks are heard in the joint. At the same time, there is a malfunction of the musculotendinous structures, the tone drops. The last stage of the development of the pathology is characterized by the appearance of pain even at rest, especially at night. Severe pain is combined with severe lameness and muscle atrophy. This leads to immobility of the patient. In the last stage, treatment is focused on inhibiting destructive changes in the joint.

The development of degenerative pathologies causes constant claudication, which leads to the interruption of work functions and a drop in performance. Lack of physical activity worsens the patient's condition. Over time, difficulties arise even with the usual getting out of bed.

Influence of inflammation and infections on the occurrence of pain

The appearance of discomfort can be associated not only with direct damage to the bone structures of the joint, but also with inflammatory processes in the muscles, tendons and joint bags.

Pathological processes are also caused by such diseases of an infectious nature:

Purulent arthritis. The disease is accompanied by an increase in the general temperature and reddening of the skin in the area of \u200b\u200bthe joints. There is an appearance of extensive edema with sharp or sharp pain. It is difficult, and sometimes it is simply impossible to carry out any load. Over time, sensations take the form of shots. These changes require immediate treatment to prevent the development of sepsis.
Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, which usually develops in young and middle-aged men. The disease is activated due to interruptions in blood circulation in the joint area. Necrosis leads to the death of tissue cells. The pathological process is manifested in a syndrome of acute pain radiating to the groin area, as well as a burning sensation in the damaged areas. The intensity of the pain can be so intense that the person has difficulty supporting the limb. This leads to trouble getting out of bed. An injection with an analgesic is used to numb the joint. The symptoms disappear after a while, but the progression of the disease causes muscle and tendon atrophy. The person begins to limp, his gait changes.
Tuberculous arthritis. Pathology is a different manifestation in young children with a weakened immune system. Progression is very slow. The child has increased fatigue, becomes inactive in games. Muscle atrophy is accompanied by clicks in the joint and shortening of the limb. After some time, pains appear in the joint, which are pulling or burning in nature. The joint is covered with suppuration with increased symptoms.
Bursitis is an inflammatory lesion that covers the articular sac of the joint. The main symptom is pain, spreading along the limb. Sharp pains are aggravated during movement. At rest, the limb hurts, burns.

Due to the development of infectious processes, various pains in the hip joint occur. It could be a burning, pulling, or dull discomfort. The intensity of sensations can be high and therefore the person has difficulty sleeping at night. This condition requires immediate treatment.

Diagnosis of pathologies

Complex diagnostics, which should include:

ultrasound examination of the condition of the hip joint;
x-ray examination in two projections;
laboratory study of blood parameters based on general and biochemical analyses, which helps in the identification of rheumatoid factors, increased leukocyte count, alteration in erythrocyte sedimentation rate;
general examination of the patient with fixation of complaints and palpation of the injured area;
MRI diagnostics.

Based on the results of the examination, the correct diagnosis is determined and the complex treatment of pathologies that provoke the pain syndrome is prescribed.

Treatment features

If rare or intermittent pain occurs, the symptom should not be ignored. In this condition, you should consult a doctor and start treatment. The therapeutic process is determined by the cause causing the pain.

Presence of congenital dislocation

With such a pathology, a special orthopedic device is placed in the area of \u200b\u200bthe baby's joint. It can be stirrups or spacers. In some cases, the use of a Frejka pillow is recommended. Thanks to these designs, the baby's legs are in a physiologically correct position. The child uses these funds for 6 months, and sometimes more.

When conventional therapies fail, surgery may be indicated. Operationally, the femoral head is reduced and some associated defects are eliminated. After removing orthopedic braces, light massage procedures are prescribed to strengthen muscle structures.

Displacement of a traumatic nature

Such damage requires the use of medications to eliminate muscle tone and reposition it. Next, the patient must rest to stabilize the structures. If there are complaints of numbness, then this will indicate a pinched nerve. In this case, you will need to consult a neurologist.

hip fracture

Treatment of this injury is carried out by a traumatologist with surgical manipulations. Conservative methods of therapy are possible, but they often do not bring the desired effect. In the absence of the possibility of operation, a plaster-type bandage is applied to the patient from the lumbar region to the heel.

It is important to remember that the most serious effects are experienced by older patients. Fractures often do not grow together, and the recovery period itself lasts several months.

In addition, damage leads to many consequences. Patients have a lack of functionality of Organs respiratory organs, disorders of the heart and vascular system, due to the lack of conditions for an active lifestyle and normal movement. Patients have trouble sitting, resulting in a burning sensation in the soft tissue area as a result of the fracture.

During the operation, the bony head and body are fixed with pins and screws. Endoprosthesis technology is used.

The development of Bechterew syndrome

The treatment of this pathology requires an integrated approach, which makes it possible to reduce the intensity of the manifestation of symptoms caused by inflammatory disorders. In the course of therapy, drugs are taken - anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal-type drugs, immunosuppressants. In addition, physiotherapy is carried out.

A course of physical exercises for stretching muscles is also prescribed. Massage is useful in this state - the joint is worked on the left or right side, depending on the manifestation of the disease.

The therapeutic process is determined by the attending physician based on the nature of the pathology development and the patient's condition. Swimming will help strengthen muscle structures. If the disease has taken a severe form, the joint replacement procedure is performed.

Reiter's disease

Treatment of this disease without the use of antibiotics is impossible. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed. In the therapeutic process, the place of glucocorticosteroids, agents that depress the activity of the immune system and ointments for topical use must be defined.

The duration of treatment is not less than 4-5 months. At the same time, the probability of relapse is high. The course of treatment should be accompanied by measures to maintain muscle tone through physical activity, for example through stretching.

rheumatoid type arthritis

Due to the progression of arthritis, pain can occur not only when the joint is in motion, but also at rest. It is impossible to completely eliminate this pain. The therapeutic effect is focused on improving the quality of life of patients. For this, prescribe medications:

cytostatics;
hormonal drugs;
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
antirheumatic agents.

Surgical intervention is prescribed only when the disease passes into the last stages. In this condition, the patient has serious problems walking and sitting. Surgical manipulations are performed by the method of fixation or joint arthroplasty. In the recovery process, stretching exercises, external ointments are prescribed.

coxarthrosis

The therapy of this pathology is focused on eliminating the causes of its manifestation. In the early stages, the disease can be cured by conservative therapy with the indication of:

Ines;
chondroprotectors;
funds that restore blood flow;
painkillers;
topical ointments with a warming effect.

The treatment complex also includes low-intensity exercise therapy. To numb the joint, if necessary, injections are used.

In the last stages of the progression of the pathology, conservative methods of treatment are ineffective. In this state, the deterioration of well-being occurs with minimal stress. To get out of bed, anesthesia with injections is required. Treatment is performed surgically due to arthroplasty of the joint. Elderly patients are not given such a procedure, but are limited to auxiliary manipulations.

After the operation, the rehabilitation process begins. Non-intense stretches are performed, light exercises with low loads.

Treatment of inflammatory disorders and infections

inflammation as a cause of hip joint pain

The therapeutic process is determined by the nature of the disease and its manifestations:

With purulent arthritis, anesthesia of the hip joint is carried out by introducing an analgesic into the joint area. It can involve several types of drugs at the same time. An antibacterial agent is used in combination with an antibiotic. Pustules are also removed. To ensure the fixation of the limb, a cast or splint is applied.
Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head requires normalization of blood circulation and reabsorption of dead zones. NSAIDs are used for pain relief. The therapy plan includes vitamins, drugs that reduce blood viscosity. Massages and anesthetic ointments will help get rid of painful pains. In parallel, physiotherapy and exercise therapy are prescribed. In severe cases of the disease, minimally invasive operations or arthroplasties are performed.
Bursitis requires quick pain relief in the joint. At the same time, an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory drug are prescribed, which is administered intramuscularly. Steroid drugs help to eliminate severe symptoms of discomfort and pain. The affected joint must be at rest.
In tuberculous arthritis, conservative methods of treatment are used. The baby must be motionless, and therefore a tight bandage is used. The appearance of an abscess in the soft tissue area will require removal.

Using traditional medicine recipes

These funds can be used as a supplement to traditional treatment. You should always consult your doctor first. The most popular recipes include:

Compresses based on blue or white clay. They help eliminate swelling and minimize pain. Apply a clay compress before bed and leave overnight. From above, the damaged area is wrapped with a warm cloth.
Compresses with cabbage and honey. It is necessary to take a cabbage leaf and cover it with a layer of honey. Then such a compress is applied to the area of \u200b\u200bthe manifestation of burning or acute pain. From above it must be covered with a film, and then insulated with a scarf or woolen scarf. The duration of procedures is up to 1 month. Between manipulations, it is recommended to rub and stroke the affected area.
Ointment with visceral fat and white foot root. Pour 250 g of crushed root into pre-melted fat and boil over low heat for 7 minutes. Allow the product to cool, then apply to the joint surface and leave overnight. A woolen cloth is applied over the treated area. So it will be possible to eliminate swelling and other symptoms.
A remedy from 2 lemons, 300 g of celery root, 130 g of garlic will help get rid of severe pain in the tendon area. The components must be finely chopped and poured into a container with a lid. Pour the composition with boiling water and mix, wrap the container and leave overnight. Use 1 tsp. before meals for 1-3 months.