Hip pain is a special kind of pain. It can be both debilitating and frustrating, with pain either constant or coming and going depending on the time of day. Pain may not even be felt exclusively in the hip – pain may also be felt radiating from the thigh or even the groin area. If you’ve been living with any level of hip pain for any length of time, it’s likely time to see a NY hip specialist!
If you’re suffering from hip pain, then it’s important to know some of the common hip problems that cause hip pain. While we recommend making an appointment with us at OrthoManhattan to see a top NY hip specialist, we also want to make sure you’re informed by sharing 4 common hip problems that may be causing you hip pain and why.
Arthritis
Arthritis leads to inflammation in the hip joint, and is the most common cause of breakdown of the cartilage that cushions your hip bones. There are three types of arthritis that can commonly cause hip pain – Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Traumatic Arthritis. Osteoarthritis involves the cartilage that cushions the bones of the hip wearing away, letting the bones then rub together, causing hip pain and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which your synovial membrane becomes irritated, causing it to produce too much fluid which in turn damages your cartilage, causing pain and stiffness in your hip. With age, your bones can become weaker, making it more likely for a fall to cause a hip fracture. Traumatic Arthritis is usually the result of an injury or fracture.
Bursitis
Another common hip problem that many people experience is bursitis. Bursitis is inflammation or irritation of a bursa sac. Inflammation is usually caused by repetitive activities that irritate your hip joint which can lead to pain and stiffness in the outer part of your hip. Standard treatment options for bursitis include cortisone injections, PRP injections, and physical therapy. If these treatments don’t resolve your bursitis, then arthroscopic surgery may be necessary.
Labral Tears
The labrum is soft cartilage that acts as the glue to the ball and socket of your hip. A labral tear to the hip involves the ring of cartilage (labrum) that follows the outside rim of your hip joint socket. The main causes of a labral tear are trauma, repetitive motions (commonly known as “wear and tear”), and structural abnormalities. While labral tears sometimes don’t have any signs or symptoms, some people will experience pain in their hip or groin area, stiffness, or a locking or clicking sensation in the hip joint.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, a thick cord that attaches bone to muscle. These tendons can become inflamed due to repetitive stress or overuse.
Common symptoms of tendinitis are pain or tenderness felt at the joint, stiffness that causes pain or restricts your movement, and swelling. Treatment for tendinitis usually includes icing, heating, and over-the-counter pain medication. Occasionally, if untreated tendinitis can result in a rupture, which may cause you to need surgery.
If you’ve recently suffered a hip injury or are getting sick and tired of living with hip pain, make an appointment with a New York hip doctor at OrthoManhattan. Either give us a call or submit a contact form in the top right corner of this page – appointments are available in-person as well as from the comfort of your own home via TeleVisit.