Causes of pain in the hip joint and methods of treatment

27 November 2022

The bone-joint structure of a person is characterized by a complex structure and includes a variety of elements. The hip joint is one of the largest and most heavily loaded joints within the human musculoskeletal system. It is located at the junction of the femur and pelvis. The joint has a peculiar structure, which ensures free mobility of the limb in different directions. It is with this joint that a person's ability to walk upright is associated. With the appearance of pain discomfort in the hip joint, there is a serious decrease in its functionality with problems with movement or sitting. In some cases, numbness in the limb is possible.

The main causes of pain

In order to start the treatment of pathologies of the hip joint in a timely manner, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination as soon as possible in order to diagnose the diseases and the causes of their manifestation. At the same time, diagnosis can be difficult, as pain is caused by a wide variety of problems: injuries, skeletal disease, underlying internal organ disease. The intensity and nature of the pain also vary. They can be both aching and sharp, burning.

To the greatest extent, complaints of pain in the hip joint can be heard from patients over 50 years old. Moreover, such violations are usually found in women. This refers to the pathologies of the joint itself or the hip joint.

Pain can be caused by such factors affecting the state of the joint:

Problems of traumatic origin - fractures affecting the femoral neck, direct bruising of the joint region, intense dislocations of the hip. Myositis ossificans, which has arisen and progresses due to injury inflicted on the joint, can cause discomfort and pain. Specialists also note frequent fractures of the pelvic bones, the development of epiphysiolysis of the femoral head.
Damage to the connective tissue in the hip joint, which is caused by the development of Reiter's disease, rheumatoid-type arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
Pathological disorders of the joint, occurring against the background of degenerative processes in the tissue area. For example, we are talking about coxarthrosis.
Osteochondropathic manifestations caused by progression of osteochondritis dissecans, Legg-Calve-Perthes pathology.
Deviations in the processes of skeletal development. For example, this applies to epiphyseal varus deformity of the foot, which is typical of adolescent patients.
Inflammatory changes in the soft joint tissues. These pathologies include bursitis, transient synovitis, coxitis of the articular variety due to the action of the tubercle bacillus.

Traumatic causes of pain syndrome

With the appearance of pain in the hip joint, attention should be paid to such pathologies of a traumatic nature that can cause them:

Congenital damage to the hip in the form of dislocation, which occurs as a result of improper conduct of the birth process or is formed in the prenatal stage of the child's development. Such a violation can be quickly diagnosed already in newborns. They will have irregularities in the gluteal creases and may show signs of shortening one leg. In some cases, a pinched nerve occurs. Experts recommend paying close attention to the signs of such deviations, since the disease itself is considered dangerous. It often leads to the preservation of the consequences of the trauma for the rest of life.
Hip dislocation of a traumatic nature - there are sharp pains, as a result of which the ability to perform movements is lost. The patient cannot take a standing position or sit. Edema and hematoma are formed in the area of \u200b\u200bthe damaged joint. If there are signs of hip dislocation, any physical exertion is contraindicated. Sports during this period lead to a deterioration in the patient's condition, cause the development of negative changes and pathological disorders in the hip joint. With such injuries, treatment should be started immediately.
Fracture of the femoral neck, which is usually characteristic of women over 60 years of age. This condition is caused by a fall or direct blow to the hip joint area. When a fracture occurs, the patient experiences an acute pain syndrome. Such pain will intensify during movement. Gradually, the pain gives to the inner thigh. At the site of the injury, swelling and hematoma appear. With a fracture, shortening of the limbs is observed, a person's gait is lame, clicks are heard in the joint area. The damage often results in a pinched nerve, resulting in numbness in the thigh.
Fracture of the pertrochanteric type of the femur - accompanied by severe or moderate pain. When the patient is in motion, the pain begins to intensify. A possible consequence is a pinched nerve, which causes back pain and numbness in the extremities.
Getting a bruise in the hip joint. The pain syndrome is moderate, but active movement can provoke its increase. In this case, the pain decreases and disappears when the person is at rest. This factor is considered the most common. Bruises are diagnosed in patients who fall frequently, especially in the elderly. The patient complains of lameness, but this symptom disappears relatively quickly.

Hip joint injuries caused by trauma are considered by specialists to be the main cause of pain. With severe fractures and dislocations, surgery is prescribed in many cases. An indication for immediate hospitalization is a pinched nerve and numbness in the limb.

The influence of systemic pathologies on the onset of pain

A frequent cause of pain in the hip joint when walking or in another body position is the development of systemic connective tissue lesions. For such pathologies, a constant process of therapy is required, since they belong to the group of practically incurable ones. It is important to ensure a comprehensive nature of the treatment with an impact on the causes of the onset and progression of pain and other symptoms.

Among the systemic pathologies that can provoke pain in the hip joint, include:

Ankylosing spondylitis, which causes dull pain in the joint. Patients suffering from this disease note an increase in negative symptoms at night. Usually the sensations are localized in the area of \u200b\u200bthe sacrum or pelvis. Pain syndrome is able to give in the knee joint, thigh, groin. Frequent shots are possible. In this state, walking and other movements are difficult, the patient shows stiffness. The pain in the thigh area is severe, and the joint is affected by the inflammatory process.
Reiter's syndrome - accompanied by damage to the joint part, as well as the organs of the genitourinary system. There is a parallel inflammatory process in the conjunctiva. This is an autoimmune disease caused by the action of an intestinal infection. The development of the pathological process can begin several weeks and even months after the pathogens enter the body. Patients complain of acute hip pain. Pain syndrome also affects the joints. This causes an increase in body temperature. There is swelling in the pelvic area on the left and right sides. This pathology is usually associated with the symmetrical nature of the damage to the joints.
Arthritis of the rheumatoid type, in which damage to the connective tissue is observed. The process of disease development does not cause the formation and release of purulent masses. Usually, pathology becomes a harbinger, indicating the possibility of developing coxarthrosis of the hip joint. The disease progresses gradually, although the initial symptoms are swelling and swelling. The patient begins to complain of discomfort during movement, pain is going through. An inflammatory process occurs in the joint, leading to an increase in general and local temperature. Further development of changes is accompanied by stiffness of movements, activation of pain syndrome in the side lying position. Pathology in most cases develops symmetrically. The destruction of the hip joint leads to pinching of the nerve and numbness of the extremities. A quick start to the therapeutic process is needed.

Pathologies of a systemic nature often cause a lot of inconvenience to patients. There are pains that vary in intensity and character. They can be sharp, cutting, pulling. It is very difficult to get rid of such discomfort on your own, even finding the body at rest does not help. Therefore, targeted treatment is required, especially when a pathology is detected in newborns. Ignoring the symptoms can make a person's condition worse.

Pain caused by degenerative disorders

Often, patients note the presence of sharp, burning or pulling pains in the joints, but they have not received any injuries and are not diagnosed with autoimmune diseases. In this case, degenerative changes caused by such diseases can become the cause:

Varus epiphyseal deformity, which is more common among adolescents. The pains are dull and pulling, they can be given to the inner area of \u200b\u200bthe knee joint. The heightened sensations occur when running or during other sports activities. Shooting is periodically observed, clicks are heard in the joint.
Coxarthrosis, which is considered a fairly common pathology of the hip joint. A violation can be detected in patients regardless of their gender. The disease requires a long and complex therapy. It causes an active progression of joint disorders of a degenerative and destructive nature. The main symptomatology comes down to the feeling that the joint hurts after physical exertion. At rest, these sensations disappear, there are no restrictions on movement. Subsequently, the pain radiates to the groin and thigh area. With daily stress, these symptoms increase, even if they disappear at rest. With prolonged walking, lameness begins to appear, clicks are heard in the joint. At the same time there is a malfunction in the work of the musculo-tendon structures, the tone decreases. The last stage of the development of the pathology is characterized by the appearance of pain even at rest, especially at night. Intense pain is combined with severe lameness and muscle wasting. This leads to immobility of the patient. In the last stage, treatment focuses on inhibiting destructive changes in the joint.

The development of degenerative pathologies causes constant lameness, which leads to disruption of work functions and a decline in performance. Lack of physical activity worsens the patient's condition. Over time, difficulties arise even with the usual getting out of bed.

Influence of inflammation and infections on pain occurrence

The appearance of discomfort can be associated not only with direct damage to the bone structures of the joint, but also with inflammatory processes in the muscles, tendons and joint bag.

Pathological processes are also caused by such diseases of an infectious nature:

Purulent arthritis. The disease is accompanied by an increase in general temperature and redness of the skin in the joint area. There is an appearance of extensive edema with sharp or sharp pain. It is difficult, and sometimes it is simply impossible to carry out any load. Over time, the sensations take the form of shooting. These changes require immediate treatment to prevent sepsis from developing.
Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, which usually develops in young to middle-aged men. The disease is activated due to disruptions in blood circulation in the joint area. Necrosis leads to the death of tissue cells. The pathological process is manifested in a sharply emerging pain syndrome radiating to the groin area, as well as a burning sensation in the damaged areas. The intensity of the pain can be so severe that a person has difficulty supporting the limb. This leads to problems getting out of bed. An injection with a pain reliever is used to numb the joint. Symptoms disappear after a while, but further progression of the disease causes atrophy of muscles and tendons. The person begins to limp, his gait changes.
Tuberculous arthritis. Pathology is a different manifestation in young children with a weakened immune system. The progression is very slow. The child has increased fatigue, he is inactive in games. Muscle atrophy is accompanied by clicking in the joint and shortening of the limb. After a while, pulling or burning pains appear in the joint. The joint is covered with suppuration with increased symptoms.
Bursitis is an inflammatory lesion that covers the joint sac. The main symptom is pain, which spreads along the limb. Sharp pains are aggravated during movement. At rest, the limb hurts, burns.

Due to the development of infectious processes, various pains occur in the hip joint. It can be a burning, pulling or dull nuisance. The intensity of sensations can be high, and then a person has difficulty sleeping at night. This condition requires immediate treatment.

Diagnosis of pathologies

Complex diagnostics, which should include:

ultrasound examination of the condition of the hip joint;
radiographic examination in two projections;
laboratory study of blood parameters based on general and biochemical analysis, which helps to identify rheumatoid factors, increased leukocyte count, change in erythrocyte sedimentation rate;
general examination of the patient with fixation of complaints and palpation of the damaged area;
MRI diagnostics.

Based on the results of the examination, the correct diagnosis is determined and a complex treatment of the pathologies provoking the pain syndrome is prescribed.

Features of the treatment

If you experience infrequent or intermittent pain, the symptom should not be ignored. In this condition, you should consult a doctor and start treatment. The therapeutic process is determined by the cause that causes the pain.

Presence of congenital dislocation

With such a pathology, a special orthopedic device is placed in the child's joint area. It can be brackets or spacers. In some cases the use of a Frejka pillow is recommended. Thanks to these designs, the child's legs are in a physiologically correct position. The child wears these funds for 6 months, sometimes longer.

When conventional therapies fail, surgery may be indicated. Operatively, the femoral head is reduced and some associated defects are eliminated. After removing orthopedic devices, light massage procedures are prescribed to strengthen muscle structures.

Dislocation of a traumatic nature

Such damage requires the use of drugs to eliminate muscle tone and reposition. Subsequently, the patient must be at rest to stabilize the structures. If there are complaints of numbness, this will indicate a pinched nerve. In this case, you will need to consult a neurologist.

Hip fracture

Treatment of this injury is carried out by a traumatologist with surgical manipulations. Conservative methods of therapy are possible, but often they do not bring the desired effect. In the absence of the possibility of an operation, a plaster-type bandage is applied to the patient from the lumbar sector to the heel.

It is important to remember that the most serious effects occur in older patients. Fractures in them usually do not grow together, and the recovery period itself lasts several months.

Also, damage leads to many consequences. Patients show a lack of functionality of the respiratory organs, heart and vascular system disorders, due to the lack of conditions for an active lifestyle and normal movement. Patients have trouble sitting up, resulting in a burning sensation in the soft tissue area due to the fracture.

During the operation, the head and bone body are fixed with pins and screws. The technology of the endoprosthesis is used.

The development of Bechterew's syndrome

The treatment of this pathology requires an integrated approach, which allows to reduce the intensity of the manifestation of symptoms, which is caused by inflammatory ailments. During the therapy, drugs are taken: anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal drugs, immunosuppressants. In addition, physiotherapy is performed.

A course of physical exercises to stretch the muscles is also prescribed. Massage is useful in this state: the joint is worked out on the left or right side, depending on the manifestation of the disease.

The therapeutic process is determined by the attending physician depending on the nature of the development of pathology and the patient's condition. Swimming will help strengthen muscle structures. If the disease has taken a severe form, the joint replacement procedure is performed.

Reiter's disease

Treatment of this disease without the use of antibiotics is impossible. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed. In the therapeutic process the place of glucocorticosteroids, agents that depress the activity of the immune system and topical ointments should be determined.

The duration of treatment is not less than 4-5 months. At the same time, the probability of relapse is high. The course of treatment should be accompanied by measures to maintain muscle tone through physical activity, for example, through stretching.

Rheumatoid arthritis

As arthritis progresses, pain can occur not only when the joint is in motion, but also at rest. It is impossible to get rid of such pain completely. The therapeutic effect is focused on improving the quality of life of patients. For this purpose, prescribe medications:

cytostatics;
hormonal drugs;
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
antirheumatic agents.

Surgical intervention is prescribed only when the disease passes into the last stages. In this condition, the patient has serious problems with walking and sitting. Surgical manipulations are performed by the method of fixation or arthroplasty of the joints. In the recovery process, stretching exercises, external ointments are prescribed.

Coxarthrosis

Therapy of this pathology is focused on eliminating the causes of its manifestation. In the early stages, the disease can be cured through conservative therapy with the appointment of:

NSAIDs;
chondroprotectors;
funds that restore blood flow;
painkillers;
topical ointments with a warming effect.

The treatment complex also includes low-intensity exercise therapy. To anesthetize the joint, if necessary, injections are used.

In the last stages of the progression of the pathology, conservative methods of treatment are ineffective. In this state, the deterioration of well-being occurs with minimal stress. Anesthesia with injections is required to get out of bed. Treatment is performed surgically due to joint arthroplasty. Elderly patients are not prescribed such a procedure, they are limited to auxiliary manipulations.

After the operation, the rehabilitation process begins. Non-intense stretching, light workouts with low loads are performed.

Treatment of inflammatory disorders and infections

inflammation as a cause of pain in the hip joint

The therapeutic process is determined by the nature of the disease and its manifestations:

With purulent arthritis, anesthesia of the hip joint is performed by introducing an analgesic into the joint area. It can involve several types of medications at the same time. An antibacterial agent is used in combination with an antibiotic. Pustules are also removed. To ensure fixation of the limb, a plaster is applied or a splint is used.
Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head requires normalization of blood circulation and resorption of dead zones. NSAIDs are used to relieve pain. The treatment plan includes vitamins, drugs that reduce blood viscosity. Anesthetic massages and ointments will help get rid of aching pain. In parallel, physiotherapy and exercise therapy are prescribed. In severe cases of the disease, minimally invasive operations or arthroplasty are performed.
Bursitis requires quick pain relief in the joint. At the same time, an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory drug are prescribed, which is administered intramuscularly. Steroid drugs help eliminate severe symptoms of discomfort and pain. The affected joint should be at rest.
In tuberculous arthritis, conservative methods of treatment are used. The child must be motionless and therefore a tight bandage is used. The appearance of an abscess in the soft tissue area will require removal.

Using the recipes of traditional medicine

These funds can be used in addition to traditional treatment. You should always consult your doctor first. The most popular recipes include:

Compresses based on blue or white clay. They help eliminate swelling and minimize pain. Apply a compress with clay before going to bed and leave it overnight. From above, the damaged area is wrapped up with a warm cloth.
Compress with cabbage and honey. You need to take a cabbage leaf and cover it with a layer of honey. Then such a compress is applied to the area of \u200b\u200bthe manifestation of burning or sharp pain. From above it must be covered with a film, and then warmed with a woolen scarf or scarf. The duration of the procedures is up to 1 month. Between manipulations, it is recommended to rub and pat the affected area.
Ointment with visceral fat and white foot root. Pour 250 g of crushed root into pre-melted fat and boil over low heat for 7 minutes. Allow the product to cool, then apply to the joint surface and leave overnight. A woolen cloth is applied over the treated area. Then it will be possible to remove swelling and other symptoms.
A medicine of 2 lemons, 300 g of celery root, 130 g of garlic will help get rid of severe pain in the tendon area. The components must be finely chopped and poured into a container with a lid. Pour the composition with boiling water and mix, then wrap the container and leave overnight. Use 1 tsp. before meals for 1-3 months.