Hip Pain Treatment – Physiotherapy, Arthroscopy at MASSH Prolife

About Hip Pain

Hip pain is any discomfort felt around or within the hip joint—the area where your thigh bone connects to the pelvis. As a major load-bearing joint, your hip is critical for everyday movement, posture, and balance. Pain in this region can be brief and minor or long-lasting and disabling.
The exact location of your pain often reveals its cause:

• Outer hip pain often indicates muscle or tendon strain.
• Deep joint pain suggests cartilage or bone problems.
• Pain can also radiate to the groin or lower back, making it harder to identify the exact origin.
  Discomfort may occur only with movement—such as walking, standing, or climbing stairs—or appear at night while resting on the affected side.
  Though mild pain may improve with rest and medication, persistent or worsening symptoms require evaluation from an orthopedic specialist.

Types of Hip Pain

• Osteoarthritis – Cartilage loss causing joint friction and stiffness
• Bursitis – Inflammation of bursae near the joint
• Labral Tears – Cartilage damage in the socket lining, often in athletes
• Hip Impingement – Bone overgrowth interfering with smooth motion
• Tendonitis – Repetitive strain injury of tendons
• Referred Pain – Pain from spine or pelvic structures
• Inflammatory Arthritis – Autoimmune joint inflammation (e.g., RA, lupus)

Signs and Symptoms of Hip Pain

• Localized Pain
  
  • Groin – Suggests deep joint involvement
  • Outer hip – Common with bursitis or tendonitis
  • Buttock area – May stem from sacroiliac or deep gluteal structures
  • Pain worsens with standing, walking, or prolonged sitting
• Stiffness
  
  • Common in osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis
  • Especially present after rest or early mornings
• Radiating Discomfort
  
  • May extend to the thigh, knee, or lower back
  • Neurological causes can lead to burning, tingling, or numbness
• Systemic Features
  
  • Signs like fatigue, fever, or swelling suggest infection or autoimmune disease

Hip Pain Causes

• Degenerative Changes – Age-related wear
• Injuries – Fractures, dislocations, or sports-related strain
• Autoimmune Diseases – Chronic joint inflammation
• Infectious Causes – Septic arthritis
• Congenital/Structural – Hip dysplasia, necrosis, or childhood deformities

Risk Factors of Hip Pain

• Advancing age
• Being overweight
• Intense sports or occupational activity
• Family history of joint disorders
• Underlying health issues like diabetes or spinal arthritis

Complications of Hip Pain

• Permanent Mobility Loss – From ongoing degeneration or necrosis
• Severe Infection – Especially if septic arthritis is ignored
• Postural Deformity – In cases of long-standing ankylosing spondylitis or untreated inflammation

Hip Pain Diagnosis

• Clinical Evaluation
  
  • Identifying pain location and movement restriction
  • Gait and strength assessment
  • Special tests (FABER, FADIR) to localize symptoms
• Imaging Tools
  
  • X-rays – Reveal arthritis, fractures, or joint narrowing
  • MRI/CT – Show soft tissue damage, nerve involvement, or hidden fractures
• Lab Tests
  
  • Inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR), autoimmune panels, uric acid
• Joint Fluid Sampling
  
  • For diagnosing infection or crystal diseases (like gout or pseudogout)

Hip  Pain Treatment

• Medications (under professional advice only)
  
  • NSAIDs to ease inflammation
  • Corticosteroid injections for pain flares
  • Disease-modifying drugs for autoimmune conditions
• Physiotherapy – Improve joint stability and range of motion
• Lifestyle Adjustments – Weight control, joint-friendly routines, supportive footwear

Surgical Options

• Hip Replacement (THA)
  
  • Recommended for advanced arthritis or necrosis
  • Artificial joint implants improve long-term mobility and comfort
  • Can be performed with robotic assistance or via minimally invasive techniques
• Hip Arthroscopy
  
  • Suitable for younger patients with labral tears or impingement
  • Less invasive with quicker recovery