The hip joint is one of the largest joints in the body; it can withstand repeated motion and a fair amount of wear and tear, but it is not indestructible. With age and repetitive use, the hip joint’s cartilage wears down or becomes damaged. The muscles and tendons can also get overused, and the bones in the hip can break during a fall. All these conditions can cause hip pain West Orange which can affect your overall quality of life. If you have a sore hip, here is a rundown of the possible causes of your discomfort.
Hip Labral Tear
A labral tear is an injury to the ring of cartilage that holds the ball and socket part of the hip together. The tear can occur anywhere in the labrum; for example, anterior tears occur on the front of the hip joint, while posterior tears occur on the back of the hip joint. However, the symptoms of a hip labral tear are similar regardless of where the tear occurs in the hip. But the location of the symptoms varies depending on the location of the tear. If you have a hip labral tear, you may experience pain in the hip, groin, or buttocks as you walk or sleep. The affected hip joint may produce a locking sensation and have a limited range of motion.
Osteoarthritis
An osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that occurs when the protective cartilage covering the joints breaks down. Consequently, bones rub on each other during motion, causing pain and the formation of bone spurs. Usually, the wear and tear occur over many years, but infection or joint injury can hasten it. Osteoarthritis commonly occurs in the hip joint, hands, knees, and spine, but it can affect any joint in the body. Treatment such as taking certain medications can help slow disease progression, reduce pain, and improve joint function. However, cartilage and joint damage are irreversible.
Hip Fractures
As you age, bones in your body become weak and more susceptible to fractures. Besides old age, balance problems, poor vision, and multiple medications increase the risk of falls in older adults. Younger people can also fracture their hip due to severe impacts such as car crashes. A hip fracture is a severe injury and mostly requires surgical repair or replacement followed by physical therapy. Some of the signs and symptoms of a hip fracture include:
- Intense pain in the hip or groin
- Inability to get up to walk
- Swelling and bruising around the hip area
- Inability to put weight on the leg on the side of the fractured hip
Tendinitis
Tendinitis is the irritation or inflammation of the thick fibrous bands that attach muscle to bone (tendon). The most common cause of tendonitis is repetitive movement, but tendonitis can also result from a sudden injury. Anyone can develop tendinitis, but the risk is higher in older people since their tendons are less flexible and easier to injure. Individuals with occupations that involve frequent overhead reaching, repetitive motions, forceful exertion, and awkward positions are also more likely to develop tendinitis.
