Causes of hip pain and methods of treatment

The bone-joint structure of a person is characterized by a complex structure and includes a large number of elements. The hip joint is one of the largest and most stressed joints in the human musculoskeletal system. It is located at the junction of the femur and pelvis. The joint has a special structure that ensures free mobility of the limb in different directions. Linked to this joint is a person's ability to walk upright. With the occurrence of pain complaints in the hip joint, its functionality with movement or sitting problems decreases sharply. In some cases, numbness of the extremity is possible.

The main causes of pain

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

Complaints about pain in the hip joint are heard most strongly from patients older than 50 years. In addition, such violations are usually found in women. This refers to the pathologies of the joint itself or the hip.

Pain can be caused by such factors affecting the condition of the joint:

1. Problems of traumatic origin - fractures of the neck of the femur, direct bruising in the area of \u200b\u200bthe joint, severe hip dislocations. Myositis ossificans, which develops and progresses due to joint injury, can cause discomfort and pain. Specialists also note frequent fractures of the pelvic bones, the development of epiphysiolysis of the femoral head.
2. Damage to the connective tissue in the hip joint caused by the development of Reiter's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
3. Pathological disorders of the articulation that occur against the background of degenerative processes in the tissue area. For example, we are talking about coxarthrosis.
4. Osteochondropathic manifestations caused by the progression of osteochondritis dissecans, Legg-Calve-Perthes pathology.
5. Deviations in the processes of skeletal development. This applies, for example, to the epiphyseal varus deformity of the foot, which is typical for young patients.
6. Inflammatory changes in the soft joint tissue. These pathologies include bursitis, transient synovitis, coxitis of the articular type due to the action of tubercle bacillus.

Traumatic causes of pain syndrome

When pain in the hip joint occurs, attention should be paid to such traumatic pathologies that can cause it:

• Congenital damage to the hip in the form of a dislocation, which occurs as a result of improper conduct of the childbirth process or arises at the prenatal stage of child development. Such an injury can be quickly diagnosed even in newborns. They have bumps in the buttock creases and may show signs of shortening in one leg. In some cases, a pinched nerve occurs. Experts recommend paying close attention to the signs of such deviations, since the disease itself is considered dangerous. It often results in the effects of the trauma lasting for the rest of one's life.
• Dislocation of the hip of a traumatic nature - there is severe pain, as a result of which the ability to perform movements is lost. The patient cannot assume an upright position or sit down. Edema and hematoma form in the area of the damaged joint. If there are signs of hip dislocation, any physical strain is contraindicated. Sport during this period leads to a deterioration in the patient's condition, causes 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 usually characteristic of women over 60 years old. This condition is caused by a fall or a blow aimed at the hip joint area. When a fracture occurs, the patient feels a sharp pain syndrome. Such pain intensifies during movement. Gradually, the pain on the inside of the thigh subsides. Swelling and hematoma appear at the site of injury. With a fracture, shortening of the limbs is observed, a person's gait is characterized by lameness, clicking sounds are heard in the joint area. Damage often causes a pinched nerve, resulting in numbness in the thigh.
• Fracture of the pertrochanteric type of femur - accompanied by severe or moderate pain. When the patient is in motion, the pain begins to intensify. One possible result is a pinched nerve that causes back pain and numbness in the extremities.
• Getting a bruise in the hip joint. The pain syndrome is moderate, but active movement can provoke its increase. In this case, the pain decreases and disappears when the person is at rest. This factor is considered the most common. Bruises are diagnosed in patients who frequently fall, especially the elderly. The patient complains of lameness, but this symptom disappears relatively quickly.

Trauma-related injuries to the hip joint are considered by experts to be the main cause of pain. With severe fractures and dislocations, surgical intervention is prescribed in many cases. An indication for immediate hospitalization is a pinched nerve and numbness of the extremity.

The influence of systemic pathologies on the occurrence of pain

A common cause of hip pain when walking or in any other posture is the development of systemic lesions of the connective tissue. Such pathologies require a constant process of therapy, since they belong to the group of practically incurable. It is important to ensure comprehensive treatment that addresses the causes of the onset and progression of pain and other symptoms.

Systemic pathologies that can provoke pain in the hip joint include:

1. Ankylosing spondylitis, which causes dull pain in the joint. Patients affected by this disease note an increase in negative symptoms at night. Usually sensations are localized in the area of the sacrum or pelvis. Pain syndrome can give knee joint, thigh, groin. Frequent shots are possible. In this condition, walking and other movements are difficult, the patient shows stiffness. The pain in the thigh area is severe, and the joint is affected by the inflammatory process.
2. Reiter's syndrome - accompanied by damage to the joint part, as well as organs of the genitourinary system. There is a parallel inflammatory process in the conjunctiva. This is an autoimmune disease caused by the effects 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 acute hip pain. The pain syndrome also affects the joints. This leads to an increase in body temperature. There is swelling in the pelvic area on the left and right side. This pathology is usually associated with the symmetry of joint damage.
3. 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 first symptoms are swelling and swelling. The patient begins to complain of discomfort during movement, the pain shoots through. An inflammatory process takes place in the joint, which leads to an increase in general and local temperature. Further development of changes is accompanied by rigidity of movement, activation of pain syndrome in the side lying position. Pathology in most cases develops symmetrically. Destruction of the hip joint results in pinching of the nerve and numbness in the extremities. A quick start of the therapeutic process is required.

Pathologies of a systemic nature often cause a lot of inconvenience to patients. There is pain that varies in intensity and character. They can be sharp, sharp, pulling. It is very difficult to get rid of such ailments on your own, even if the body is at rest, it will not help. Therefore, targeted treatment is required, especially if pathology is detected in newborns. Ignoring the symptoms can make a person's condition worse.

Pain from degenerative diseases

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

• Epiphyseal varus deformity, most common in adolescents. The pain is dull and aching, can be transferred to the inner zone of the knee joint. Increased sensations occur when running or engaging in other sports activities. Shootings are regularly observed, clicks are heard in the joint.
• Coxarthrosis, which is considered a fairly common pathology of the hip joint. Violation can be detected in patients regardless of their gender. The disease requires a long and complex therapy. It causes active progression of joint diseases of a degenerative and destructive nature. The main symptoms are reduced to the feeling that the joint hurts after physical exertion. At rest, these sensations disappear, there are no restrictions on movement. The pain then radiates to the groin and thigh region. With daily stress, this symptomatology increases, although at rest it disappears. With prolonged walking, lameness occurs, clicking sounds are heard in the joint. At the same time, there is a functional disorder of the muscle-tendon structures, and the tone decreases. 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 final stage, treatment focuses on inhibiting destructive changes in the joint.

The development of degenerative pathologies provokes constant lameness, which leads to disruption of labor functions and a drop in performance. Sedentary lifestyle worsens the patient's condition. Difficulties also arise when getting out of bed as usual.

Influence of inflammation and infection 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 bag.

Pathological processes are also caused by such infectious diseases:

1. suppurative arthritis. The disease is accompanied by an increase in general temperature and redness of the skin in the joint area. Extensive edema occurs with acute or sharp pain. It is difficult, and sometimes simply impossible, to carry out any loads. Over time, sensations take the form of gunfights. These changes require prompt treatment to prevent sepsis from developing.
2. Aseptic femoral head necrosis, which usually develops in young and middle-aged men. The disease is activated by circulatory disorders in the joint area. Necrosis leads to the death of tissue cells. The pathological process is manifested by a sharply emerging pain syndrome radiating to the groin, as well as a burning sensation in the damaged areas. The intensity of the pain can be so severe that a person has difficulty supporting the limb. This leads to problems getting up. An injection of an analgesic is used to numb the joint. Symptoms disappear after a while, but further progression of the disease provokes atrophy of muscles and tendons. The person begins to limp, their gait changes.
3. Tubercular arthritis. Pathology is another manifestation in young children with a weakened immune system. The progression is very slow. The child has increased fatigue, he is inactive in games. Muscular atrophy is accompanied by clicks in the joint and shortening of the limb. After some time, pain in the joint appears, pulling or burning in nature. The articulation is covered with suppuration with increased symptoms.
4. Bursitis is an inflammatory lesion covering the articular sac of the joint. The main symptom is pain that spreads along the limb. Severe pain is aggravated during movement. At rest, the limb hurts, it burns.

Due to the development of infectious processes, various pains appear in the hip joint. It can be a burning, aching, or dull discomfort. The intensity of the sensations can be high, and therefore a person has difficulty in getting a good night's rest. 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 examination of blood parameters based on general and biochemical analyzes that contribute to the identification of rheumatoid factors, increase in the number of leukocytes and change in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation;
• general examination of the patient with fixation of the complaints and palpation of the damaged area;
• MRI diagnostics.

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

Features of the treatment

When infrequent 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 that causes pain.

Presence of a congenital dislocation

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

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

Dislocation of a traumatic nature

Such damage requires the use of medication to eliminate muscle tone and repositioning. The patient must then remain still to stabilize the structures. If there are complaints of numbness, this indicates a pinched nerve. In this case, you need to consult a neurologist.

hip fracture

Treatment of this injury is carried out by a traumatologist using surgical intervention. Conservative therapy methods are possible, but often do not bring the desired effect. If surgery is not possible, a plaster cast is applied to the patient from the lumbar region to the heel.

It is important to remember that the most serious effects occur in elderly patients. Fractures in them usually do not grow together, and the recovery period itself lasts several months.

In addition, damage leads to many consequences. Patients show dysfunction of the respiratory organs, disruption 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 head and bone body are fixed with pins and screws. The technique of endoprosthetics is used for this.

The development of Bechterew's syndrome

Treatment of this pathology requires an integrated approach that will reduce the intensity of the manifestation of symptoms caused by inflammatory diseases. In the course of therapy, drugs are taken - anti-inflammatory drugs, hormone-type drugs, immunosuppressants. In addition, physiotherapy is carried out.

A course of physical exercises for stretching the muscles is also prescribed. Massage is useful in this condition - the joint is worked out 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 development of the pathology and the patient's condition. Swimming helps strengthen muscle structures. If the disease has acquired a severe form, then the joint replacement procedure is performed.

Reiter's disease

Treatment of this disease without the use of antibiotics is not possible. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed. In the therapeutic process, it is necessary to determine the place of glucocorticosteroids, agents that suppress the activity of the immune system, and ointments for topical use.

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

Rheumatoid type arthritis

Due to the progression of arthrosis, pain can occur not only with movement, but also at rest. It is impossible to completely get rid of such pain. The therapeutic effect is focused on improving the quality of life of patients. For this purpose, prescribe drugs:

• cytostatics;
• hormonal drugs;
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• anti-inflammatory drugs.

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

coxarthrosis

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 appointment of:

• NSAIDs;
• chondroprotectors;
• Means that restore blood flow;
• Painkiller;
• topical ointments with a warming effect.

The treatment complex also includes low-intensity exercise therapy. Injections are used to numb the joint if necessary.

In the last stages of the progression of pathology, conservative methods of treatment are ineffective. In this state, the deterioration of well-being occurs with minimal stress. Anesthesia with injections is required to get out of bed. The treatment is surgical due to endoprosthetics of the joint. Such a procedure is not prescribed to elderly patients, but they are limited to auxiliary manipulations.

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

Treatment of inflammatory diseases and infections

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

1. With purulent arthritis, anesthesia of the hip joint is performed by inserting an analgesic into the joint area. Can affect multiple types of drugs at the same time. An antibacterial agent is used in combination with an antibiotic. The pustules are also removed. To ensure fixation of the limb, a patch is applied or a splint is used.
2. Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head requires normalization of blood circulation and resorption of dead zones. NSAIDs are used to relieve pain. The regimen of therapy includes vitamins, drugs that reduce blood viscosity. Massage and anesthetic ointments will help get rid of aching pain. In parallel, physiotherapy and exercise therapy are prescribed. In severe cases of the disease, minimally invasive surgery or endoprosthetics are performed.
3. Bursitis requires quick joint pain relief. At the same time, an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory drug are prescribed, which is administered intramuscularly. Steroid drugs help eliminate severe symptoms of discomfort and pain. The affected joint should be at rest.
4. With tuberculous arthritis, conservative treatment methods are used. The baby must be motionless, so a tight bandage is used. The appearance of an abscess in the soft tissue area requires its removal.

With recipes of traditional medicine

These funds can be used as an adjunct 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 compress with clay before bed and leave it on 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 wool scarf or scarf. The duration of the procedures is up to 1 month. Between manipulations, it is recommended to rub and caress the affected area.
• Ointment with visceral fat and white tarsus. Pour 250 g of crushed root in pre-melted fat and cook over low heat for 7 minutes. Allow product to cool, then apply to grout surface and leave overnight. A wool cloth is placed on the treated area. So it is possible to get rid of swelling and other symptoms.
• A drug made from 2 lemons, 300 g of celery root and 130 g of garlic will help eliminate severe pain in the tendon zone. 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.