The hip is the largest ball-and-socket joint in the body and is responsible for supporting body weight and providing stability. Held together by various bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, our hip allows us a vast range of mobility, letting us walk, run, and play sports. Some of the main structures in our hip include:
Hip bursitis is when there is inflammation of the bursa, which are small, fluid-filled sacs in the joint that serve as a cushion and reduce friction in the hip. There are two major bursae in the hip that can become inflamed:
Bursitis can cause pain, localized tenderness, decreased mobility, and swelling. Pain caused by this condition usually becomes worse when lying down or with prolonged exercise, and can be caused due to repetitive stress, arthritis, sudden injury, or bone spurs. Surgery is rarely used to treat bursitis, as it can often be treated with strengthening exercises, NSAIDs, or corticosteroid shots.
Similar to the joint in your shoulder, the hip also contains a labrum that provides stability and keeps the ball and socket together. A labral tear in the hip may cause:
You may tear your labrum from sudden trauma, osteoarthritis, structural abnormalities, or overuse. Typically, the first line of treatment for a labral tear is a nonsurgical treatment, but your orthopedic specialist at Comprehensive Medical Care may suggest surgery depending on how active your lifestyle is or the extent of the tear.
Hip impingement, or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), is a condition that occurs when the ball of the hip pinches against the hip. This condition typically happens when one or more of the bones in the hip has an irregular shape, which creates friction upon movement. There are three types of hip impingements:
FAI is present at birth for many individuals, but it is also fairly common in athletes who compete in sports with frequent twisting or squatting. This condition can cause considerable pain and stiffness, and to alleviate this discomfort your physician may recommend rest, activity modification, physical therapy, or NSAIDs. If your pain does not improve with conservative treatment, you may need surgery to address the damaged tissues in the hip, as well as correct the abnormal shape of the bone structures.
Sciatica is a condition pertaining to inflammation or pinching of the sciatic nerve. This nerve originates in the lower back and extends down through the hips and buttocks into each leg. Most frequently, a herniated disc irritates the nerve, which results in pain in the lower back and hip region. You may even experience pain radiating into your legs when affected by this condition. Fortunately, most people are able to make a full recovery from sciatica with non-operative treatments.
There are several nonsurgical treatment options for the above hip conditions. Among the most effective conservative treatment techniques are:
If hip pain does not respond to conservative treatment, your orthopedic specialist at Comprehensive Medical Care may suggest having surgery. Some surgical options that are effective at treating issues with the hip include:
