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What are the Causes of Hip Pain?
The hip joint consists of the thigh bone (femur) and the pelvis. The rounded end of the femur fits snugly into its socket in the pelvis and is one of the strongest joints in our body. Despite the solid and safe structure of the hip, many factors such as incorrect movements, joint diseases (calcification, arthritis), musculoskeletal diseases (fibromyalgia), traumas (fall, accident) and aging can lead to hip pain. Hip pain can occur at any age. The frequency of hip pain increases with age, this is because the muscle and bone structure becomes more susceptible to diseases with age. It is very difficult to evaluate the cause of hip pain without detailed medical assistance. Because not all hip pain occurs in the hip joints, musculoskeletal disorders originating from the spine can also cause hip pain. In order to detect this correctly, it is important to be diagnosed by specialist orthopedic doctors.
What are the Symptoms of Hip Pain?
Hip pain is a symptom that makes our daily lives very difficult and occurs for many different reasons. There may be hip pain that persists even when lying on your side or sitting and can be relieved with a simple maneuver, or there may be less severe hip pain that can turn into long-term discomfort. The only way to understand the exact cause of the underlying problem is to have a detailed examination by a specialist orthopedic doctor.
Common Symptoms of Hip Pain Include:
- Pain after vigorous or repetitive exercise.
- Pain caused by lying on side.
- Pain in the groin and knee area.
- Pain that increases with certain movements.
- Increasing pain while walking and stiffness after movement in people over 45 years of age.
- Severe pain after long periods of inactivity (waking up from sleep).
- Swelling, redness and irritation in the area.
- Difficulty walking and severe pain after a fall or trauma.
- Osteoarthritis: Difficulty bending, sensitivity to joint pressure, muscle weakness.
- Fracture: Swelling, deformation, color change, movement disorder.
- Infection: Inflammation, swelling, redness.
How to Diagnose Hip Pain?
At MSM Clinic, we want to emphasize the importance of correctly diagnosing hip pain. Hip pain can result from many different causes, and accurate diagnosis is critical in determining the appropriate treatment plan. Here are common methods for diagnosing hip pain:
- Physical Examination: Diagnosis of hip pain usually begins with a physical examination. The specialist doctor evaluates the patient’s symptoms, determines the location of the pain and checks joint mobility.
- History Taking: The doctor asks about the patient’s health history and symptoms in detail. This helps identify possible causes and make the correct diagnosis.
- Imaging Tests: Imaging tests are important in determining the cause of hip pain. Tests such as x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) help visually assess the condition of the hip joint and surrounding tissues.
- Blood Tests: In some cases, blood tests can help identify potential causes such as inflammation or infection.
- Joint Needle Aspiration: Rarely, fluid is removed from the hip joint and sent for laboratory examination. This test can help identify inflammation or infection in the joint.
- Nerve and Muscle Tests: Hip pain may be caused by conditions such as nerve compression or muscle weakness. Tests such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction tests can help evaluate nerve and muscle function.
Regardless of the cause of hip pain, correct diagnosis and treatment is important. As MSM Clinic, we manage this diagnostic process meticulously with our experienced experts to provide the best treatment to our patients.
What is Good for Hip Pain?
These home remedies may help relieve hip pain:
- Rest: Resting when you experience hip pain relaxes the joint and can help with healing.
- Heat or Ice Application: Hot or cold applications can be used to reduce pain. Hot applications often relieve muscle spasms and stiffness, while cold applications can reduce inflammation.
- Massage: Soft tissue massage can reduce muscle tension and relieve pain by increasing blood circulation.
- Moderate Exercise: Exercises recommended by your doctor can reduce pain by strengthening the hip joint and increasing its flexibility.
- Avoiding Activities That Trigger Pain: If you find that certain activities increase hip pain, it is important to avoid those activities.
- Use of Painkillers Under Doctor’s Control: Using painkillers recommended by your doctor can help keep pain under control.
- Ice Application After Injury: After an injury, applying ice to the area can reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
- Placing a Pillow Between Your Legs While Lying on Your Side: Placing a pillow between your hip and knee while lying on your side can reduce the pressure on the joint and relieve pain.
- Getting Rid of Excess Weight: Excess weight can put additional load on the hip joint and increase pain. If you are overweight, losing weight may reduce hip pain.
- Avoid Standing for Long Periods: Standing for long periods of time can increase hip pain, so it is important to take intermittent rests if possible.
- Use of Comfortable and Orthopedic Shoes: The right shoes can reduce hip pain by distributing your body’s weight evenly.
- Warming Up Before and Stretching After Exercise: Warming up the muscles before exercise and stretching after exercise can reduce hip pain.
- Swimming: Swimming is a low-impact exercise and can strengthen and stretch muscles while reducing hip pain.
- Special Shoes and Support for Flat Feet: If there is a flat foot problem, the use of special shoes or insoles can reduce the pain.
- Suitability of Running Shoes: Using appropriate shoes while running can reduce hip pain and reduce the risk of injury.
- Avoid Excessive Exercise and Lifting Heavy Loads: Excessive exercise or lifting heavy loads can increase hip pain.
- Avoid Sitting on Low Chairs: Sitting on a low chair can increase pressure on the hip joint and increase pain.
It is important that you apply these treatment methods in accordance with the recommendations of our clinician and in accordance with your personal situation.
