There are many conditions that may cause hip pain in adults, ranging from muscle or tissue damage to chronic conditions such as arthritis. On average, 2.5 million people in the UK suffer from chronic hip pain, and due to cutbacks within the NHS, many people are left to seek private treatment.
In many cases, operations are seen as an unnecessary cost, and the risks can outweigh the benefit.
So here, we explain the different causes and treatments.
Hip pain in adults – Causes
Arthritis – Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited function.
Hip impingement – Impingement is caused when the bone structure is abnormally shaped and the ball and joint rub together.
Hip Dysplasia – Dysplasia is caused when the hip joint is the wrong shape or the socket is in the wrong position and cannot fully support the top of the leg bone.
Hip Fracture – A hip fracture is a break in the thighbone. Generally seen in older people with weaker bones.
Bursitis – Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-like sac found over your hip joint.
Septic arthritis – Septic arthritis is a severe type of bone and joint infection. If you have pain and swelling around the joint and feel unwell with a high temperature, you should seek urgent care.
Equally, your hip pain may be a result of injury.
When should I seek medical treatment for hip pain?
Not all hip pain requires treatment, and if the pain is due to injury, RICE – Rest Ice Compression and Elevation would help your recovery. However, if your pain worsens and doesn’t lessen after one week or you are currently suffering chronic pain, you should seek medical aid.
Hip pain in adults – treatments
Treating Chronic Pain
Chronic or persistent pain is pain that carries on for longer than 12 weeks. When treating chronic pain, we would first want to understand the cause.
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis are among the most common causes of chronic hip pain. Although over the counter medicines may help in numbing the pain for a short period, a treatment plan which involves physiotherapy will help alleviate your pain and stiffness, allowing you to make the most out of every day.
As well physiotherapy, other treatments to aid movement and control pain are –
Freedom clinics provide a full joint assessment to identify the underlying cause of the pain and a complete treatment plan.
Treatment plans are tailored to the individual, optimising the benefits of pain relief and increasing movement.
If you would like to discuss your symptoms further and require an appointment to start your treatment plan, please get in touch today.
