What’s Behind Your Hip Pain? Essential Information to Understand.
If you spend your day at a desk or sleep on your side, you may experience a dull, uncomfortable ache known as hip pain.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, hip pain originates from issues in or near the hip joint, affecting about 10% of the population, with higher occurrences as people age.
So, what exactly contributes to hip pain? The truth is, several conditions can underlie this discomfort. Hip pain might be felt in various parts of the hip joint, and occasionally, discomfort mistaken for hip pain could be related to issues in other areas of the body.
Experts have shared vital insights regarding this prevalent issue.
Understanding Hip Pain
Your hip joint is crucial for balance and movement, helping to support your body weight and allowing the upper leg to move. It is structured as a ball-and-socket joint that connects your femur (thigh bone) with your pelvis (hip bone), per the Cleveland Clinic.
Numerous factors can lead to hip pain, often arising from issues with soft tissues surrounding the hip joint, like cartilage, muscles, and tendons, explains Dr. Spencer Stein, an assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery.
Patients typically indicate pain in different areas of the hip: the front (near the groin), the back (near the buttock), or the sides, according to Dr. W. Christian Thomas, an assistant professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Adult Reconstruction at Northwestern University.
“Each region can involve various related issues,” says Thomas. The symptoms of hip pain can differ based on the underlying cause. It often includes sounds like clicking or snapping around the hip, but may also manifest as intense discomfort with cramps and sensations of burning.
What Causes Hip Pain?
The reason behind your hip pain may often depend on your age, according to Stein. Younger individuals, especially athletes, may deal with pain due to hip impingement, resulting from a tear in the labrum (the tissue encircling the joint socket) or a joint pinch.
“As people age, hip arthritis becomes a more frequent cause of discomfort,” Stein notes. Osteoarthritis, the most common form, arises from the deterioration of the smooth surface on the bone, which normally allows smooth joint movement. When this surface deteriorates, individuals may face pain and swelling near the hip joint, struggling with walking and weight-bearing, according to Stein.
Another potential reason for hip pain is inflammation of the surrounding muscles and tendons. The hip flexors located at the upper thigh and hip abductors, which are positioned near the back and side of the hip, can often become irritated, Thomas explains.
Issues with hip rotation can lead to pain during simple movements like walking. Activities that involve bending or flexing the hip, or sitting for extended periods, can also exacerbate discomfort, Stein adds.
Bursitis is another ailment that affects the outer hip tissues when the bursa, the cushioning layer between the tendon and bone, becomes inflamed. This condition can worsen when pressure is applied to the hip, such as lying on your side at night, according to Stein.
What Can Be Confused with Hip Pain?
Some conditions may feel like hip pain, yet actually originate from discomfort elsewhere in the body. For instance, lower back issues related to the lumbar spine, sacroiliac (SI) joint, or a pinched nerve could be mistaken for hip pain, states Thomas.
Though rare, hernias and certain urological conditions can also cause discomfort close to the hip, Thomas notes. However, since these are not actual hip issues, they require attention from different medical specialists.
When Should You Be Concerned About Hip Pain?
How can you tell if your hip pain is a serious issue? According to Thomas, the key question is: “Can you walk?”
If you already have a diagnosis related to chronic hip pain that doesn’t improve with simple remedies like stretching or light activity, seeking advice from a healthcare professional would be wise, Stein recommends.
