Hip Pain

When you have hip pain, you often think it has to do with the socket itself, where the thighbone swivels in the socket created by the pelvic bones. While hip pain can be socket related, there are other structures around the area that can cause the characteristic pain as well, including the surrounding muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Any injury or deterioration of the hip can cause pain and inflammation. Most often, this pain is felt on the inside of the hip or in the groin if the source is the joint itself. If the other structures are damaged or injured, the pain will often be felt on the outside of the hip or in the upper thigh.

Most temporary hip pain can be controlled with a little self-care. Rest and pain relievers can help reduce swelling and pain. In cases where the pain is debilitating or permanent, hip replacement surgery may be the best option.

Common Causes of Hip Pain

The onset of arthritis is often the main source of hip pain. Other conditions can include tendonitis, osteonecrosis,  stress fractures, muscle pain or an actual injury to the hip, whether it’s a hip fracture or a stress fracture.

In many cases, hip pain is temporary and it will go away if you take these simple steps.

• Take a pain reliever such as Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen or Aleve.
• Stay off your hip as much as possible and get some rest.
• Apply ice to the hip every 15 to 20 minutes a few times a day. A bag of frozen vegetables or ice cubes wrapped in a towel will work if you don’t have an ice pack.

If the pain doesn’t go away, you may want to see your doctor. Since the source of hip pain varies widely, your physician will be able to assess your condition more fully and recommend the proper treatment or therapy, including the possibility of having a total hip replacement or Birmingham hip resurfacing.

Learn about treatment options, including hip replacement surgery