Hip pain can be a debilitating condition that affects people of all ages, but it is more common in the elderly. Hip pain can originate due to problems with the hip bones, joints, or spinal nerves that pass through the hip area. The hip joint is one of the most important joints in the human body, as it helps us to stand, walk, run, and perform other daily activities.
Causes
There are many different causes of hip pain, but one of the most common causes is osteoarthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis). It is a degenerative joint disease that affects the cartilage that cushions the bones in the hip joint. As the cartilage wears down, the bones can rub against each other, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is most common in people over the age of 50, but it can occur in younger people as well.
Another common cause of hip pain is hip bursitis. This condition occurs when the bursae, which are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints, become inflamed. It can be caused by repetitive motions, overuse of a joint, or injury to that joint. Bursitis can cause pain and stiffness in the hip, and it can also limit your range of motion.
Hip injuries, such as hip fractures are also a common cause of hip pain, especially in older adults. A hip fracture can be caused by a fall, a car accident, or any other type of impact that causes the bone to break. Hip fractures can cause severe pain, swelling, and bruising, and they require immediate medical attention.
In addition to these common causes, there are many other conditions that can cause hip pain, including hip osteoarthritis, hip impingement on a nerve root, hip pointer, hip dislocation (due to issues with the hip socket, which can then lead to joint pain), tendonitis (tendinitis), muscle strains, tight hip flexors, and nerve damage. In some cases, hip pain can also be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition, such as an infection.
Hip pain can also occur as a result of problems in the lower back, causing pain to spread down through the pelvis, and sometimes reaching even the legs and calves. This is also called referred pain. Some examples of such conditions include sciatica, piriformis syndrome, cauda equina syndrome and spinal stenosis. Out of all these examples, sciatica tends to be the one lower back condition that most often causes pain that spreads down to the hips.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you are experiencing hip pain, it is important to seek medical attention to determine the cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Depending on the cause of your hip pain, your doctor may recommend rest, physical therapy, medication.
In some rare cases, surgery may be considered as an option, but typically this method is reserved as a last resort for people experiencing severe pain or chronic hip pain who did not respond to more conservative treatment options, of people who have sustained a severe hip injury that damaged the hip.
Additionally, you can also address hip pain from the comfort of your own home when it is caused by conditions of the lower spine that cause radiating pain.
The best way to do this is through exercises that can help your lower spine and hip region relax, such as stretching or decompressing your back with the help of an orthopaedic device called the Backrack, which was designed specifically to alleviate back and hip problems.
Relieve Back and Hip Pain from Home with the Backrack
Author: Spinal Backrack
