What Is Hip Osteoarthritis
Arthritis refers to all forms of inflammatory and degenerative conditions of the hip. While arthritis may occur in any joint in the body, it typically occurs in the joints that help to bear the weight of a patient, such as the hips or knees.
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that specifically refers to joint degeneration and loss of cartilage over the joint surface. Hip OA most commonly affects older patients.
While hip osteoarthritis cannot be reversed, it is important for patients who suspect that they might have hip arthritis to seek medical attention quickly, as early diagnosis and treatment might help to reduce further damage to the hip
Conditions With Similar Symptoms
A number of conditions that are not actually related to the hip joint can cause hip joint pain and symptoms in the âhipâ area. These include:
Spinal stenosis This condition most commonly causes pain in the buttock, low back, and back of the upper thigh . Spinal stenos is a lower-back problem, not a hip problem. Spinal stenosis causes pain in the buttock area that some identify as part of the âhip.â
Greater trochanteric bursitisThis causes pain over the point of the hip . It also causes tenderness and sensitivity to pressure. Although this seems like a hip problem, it is a problem well away from the joint itself and is related to an inflammation in a lubrication point called a bursa. Greater trochanteric bersitis is not a joint problem .
Non-orthopedic conditionsVery occasionally, non-orthopedic conditions can cause pain in the groin that masquerades as hip joint symptoms ovarian cysts, hernias, and other intra-pelvic conditions can sometimes cause pain that is mistaken for hip joint pain.
Other types of arthritisOther forms of arthritis can cause similar symptoms to osteoarthritis of the hip in particular, post-traumatic arthritis and avascular necrosis are almost indistinguishable in many cases from osteoarthritis of the hip.
The diagnosis of osteoarthritis versus rheumatoid arthritis can be made by a physician with experience in treating conditions of this type.
Back Or Disc Issues: #
The first thing to note is that hip/groin pain can be caused by an issue in the back, specifically when the pain is transferred from a joint or disc issue in the lower spine. Sometimes the pain may be felt further down the leg or associated with pins and needles or numbness in the legit may also worsen when coughing or sneezing.
A reason for this type of pain or injury could be the increased time spent sitting for long periods when working from home because when we sit, we load the spine whilst lessening the load on the stabilizing muscles in the hips and back which, when stood or moving, protect our spines.
Regular breaks to stand, walk or stretch can help reduce the likelihood of this happening.
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The First 24 To 48 Hours
Your physical therapist may advise you to:
- Rest the area. This may include avoiding walking or any activity that causes pain. They may recommend crutches to reduce further strain on the muscles when walking.
- Apply ice packs to the area for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours.
- Compress the area with an elastic bandage wrap.
- Consult with another health care provider for further services, such as medication or diagnostic tests.
Your physical therapist will personalize a treatment plan for you based on your unique condition and goals. Your plan may include treatments to:
Reduce pain. Your physical therapist may use different treatments and technologies to control and reduce your pain. These may include ice, heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, taping, exercises, and hands-on therapy, such as massage. These treatments can lessen the need for pain medication, including opioids.
Improve motion. Your physical therapist will choose specific activities and treatments to help restore normal movement in the leg and hip. These might begin with “passive” motions that the therapist performs for you to gently move your leg and hip joint. They will help you progress to doing active exercises and stretches that you perform yourself.
Speed recovery time. Your physical therapist is trained and experienced in choosing the right treatments and exercises to help you heal. They can help you return to your normal lifestyle and reach your goals faster than you are likely to do on your own.
What To Do Next
If your pain is not resolving with the appropriate rest/mobility and OTC painkillers after a few weeks it would be advisable to see your GP for further assessment.
You should also go to see your GP if you are having hip pain and experiencing any of the following:
- A new fever or rash
- Sudden onset hip pain and you have sickle cell anaemia
- There is a pain in both hips and other joints
There are also a few situations where it is appropriate to go straight to A& E or seek immediate medical attention in case there is a more serious problem:
- Hip pain caused by a serious fall or accident
- You are worried about a fracture or dislocation of the hip joint
- There is significant bruising or bleeding
- You are not able to put any weight through the hip at all
- You are not able to move the hip at all
- You have a high temperature and are feeling very unwell
Date:
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Understanding Hip Flexor Pain
Hip flexor pain is a common complaint among physically active people, especially runners and soccer and hockey players. The pain occurs at the hip and/or groin and can make everyday activities, such as lifting a leg to tie a shoe and going up or down stairs, more difficult.
The hip flexors are a group of muscles that attach to various points of the spine, pelvis, and femur. They are responsible for bending the torso forward at the hips and moving the legs toward the body.
Most Common Cause Of Groin Pain For Females
Typically, your pain is caused by an injury of one of the structures in your leg that attach to your groin, such as a torn or strained muscle, ligament, or tendon.
A groin strain usually refers to torn or overstretched adductor muscles, which are located on the inside of the thigh.
These types of groin injuries are usually the result of overuse or overexertion and are common among physically active people.
Beyond muscle, ligament, or tendon injury, your groin pain could be the result of any one of various conditions, such as:
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Are There Ways To Prevent Groin Pain
The most important step you can take to lower your risk of a groin strain or injury is to stretch before and after any kind of activity, workout, or sport. This helps boost the flexibility of your muscles which, in turn, may reduce the chance of a muscle injury.
Other preventive steps that can help include the following:
- Maintain a healthy weight. This can avoid putting too much strain on your hip joints.
- Stay well hydrated. Drinking water can reduce your risk of developing a kidney stone, a UTI, or muscle cramps.
- Use proper body mechanics. Pay close attention to your body mechanics when you lift heavy objects. Bend your knees, use the strength of your legs to lift, and keep the object close to your body. Safe lifting techniques can lower your risk of developing a groin hernia or straining a muscle or ligament.
Summary Of Hip Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis of the hip is common and can result in severe hip joint pain and disability. as a result of this condition, several hundred thousand people each year in the U.S. undergo total hip replacement.
- Most people with osteoarthritis of the hip can be managed without surgery.
- The cause of osteoarthritis of the hip is not known but some risk factors include obesity, severe hip trauma, and acquired conditions in adulthood, such as osteonecrosis and genetics.
- There are many other kinds of arthritis that can affect the hip. It is important to make sure that the correct diagnosis is made as some of these other conditions are treated very differently.
- The diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the hip is usually very straightforward and is made in almost all cases by a physician taking a thorough history, performing a physical examination, and getting x-rays with the patient standing up.
- Patients usually seek care for the typical symptoms of hip arthritis, including pain located in the groin thigh or buttock. The pain associated with osteoarthritis of the hip is generally worse with weight bearing or twisting. Stiffness and leg-length inequality are other symptoms.
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Symptoms Of Hip Problems
People with hip pain or aching hips may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Popping or crunching noise when bending, walking, running, sitting down, or returning to a standing position
- Persistent ache inside the hip joint, usually felt in the groin area
- Aching or shooting pain around the hip joint or in adjacent areas, such as the buttocks, thighs, or groin
- Stiffness, swelling, or redness around the hip joint
Hip Flexor Muscles Anatomy
The hip flexor is not one singular muscle but a group of muscles, including the psoas major, iliacus, rectus femoris, pectineus, and sartorius. These muscles attach to various points on the spine, pelvis, and femur .
Hip flexors are primarily responsible for bending the torso forward at the hips and moving the leg or knee towards the torso.
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Dr Andrew Quoc Dutton Orthopaedic & Sports Clinic Insurance
The Dr Andrew Quoc Dutton Orthopaedic & Sports Clinic offers minimally invasive and surgical treatments for sports-related injuries and orthopaedic conditions.
To aid in the expenses that you may incur, we accept a number of corporate and international insurance. If you have any of the insurance plans below, please let us know when you book an appointment with us. If you need further assistance, you may drop us an e-mail at info@eliteortho.com.sg or call us at 6836 8000.
- AIA Health Insurance
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- Integrated Health Plans
How Groin Pain Is Diagnosed
Because groin pain can have many possible causes, your healthcare provider could diagnose your condition in a number of different ways.
Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and other details about your groin pain, such as:
- When it started
- Whether you experienced an injury
- What makes the pain worse and better
- Whether you have any other symptoms
You will usually need a physical exam. You may also need imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis.
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When To Call The Doctor
- Testicle pain that’s sudden or intense
- Pain that radiates to your back, abdomen, or chest
- Discomfort along with fever, chills, and nausea
Make an appointment with your doctor if:
- The groin pain is very bad, or it doesnât get better in a few days.
- Thereâs swelling or a lump around or in your testicle.
- Pain in your side moves into your groin and testicle.
If you think you may have groin pain, your doctor will ask:
- When the pain started
- What activities you do regularly
- If anything makes your pain better or worse.
Your doctor will also want to give you a physical exam to rule out other conditions. They’ll also test things like your range of motion and your strength. If they think you might have a groin injury, they may use imaging tests like X-ray and ultrasound to find the problem.
Managing Arthritis Pain And Fatigue
Several approaches can be used to manage the pain associated with osteoarthritis of the hip including:
- Activity modification appropriate kinds of exercise and weight loss when necessary may alleviate some hip arthritis symptoms
- Nutritional supplementation are helpful to some patients, although the literature on these supplements is not consistently in favor of their use
- Non-narcotic pain tablets , or over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, if medically appropriate, sometimes are helpful
- Prescription strength, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs are useful for some patients, though, in general, long-term use of these drugs is discouraged
- Arthritis unloader braces or hip sleeves are helpful for some patterns of arthritis
- Joint injections might help
- Total hip replacement surgery may be used if non-operative interventions dont suffice.
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Why Does My Hip Hurt
If the cartilage in the hip joint degenerates and the hip joint develops arthritis, then many normal activities such as walking, standing, or sitting may result in hip or groin pain. Groin pain is a symptom commonly associated with hip arthritis.
Our team of orthopedic hip specialists begin by diagnosing the cause of your hip pain, and reviewing treatment options with you to get you back to your normal activities.
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Pain In The Groin And Hip Area Fix It Now
My fiancé and I were at the gym today, about to begin our workout when she came to me with a question. She told me that she had been having pain in her left hip that started a week ago. She said it feels like her hip is jammed and gives her sharp pain when squatting. She thought it was just muscular tension at first, but after a week the problem was still not getting better. She began worrying when she noticed that it was not only feeling tight, but it was also effecting her mobility. I should mention that by trade, she is an aerial silks performer and professional dancer, so loss of hip mobility for her is simply not an option. That being said, I thought this would be a good opportunity to not only help her fix this, but to also use the situation as a means to educate on how I work through a situation like this.
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Common Causes Of Hip And Groin Pain
Hip muscle strains and sprains: Sprains and strains are often the simplest explanation for your hip pain. Hip strains and sprains can happen if you overdo it while exercising. This can injure the soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, if they are stretched beyond their limits. A hip strain or sprain can cause pain during everyday tasks as well as during sporting activities.
Besides pain, you may experience swelling, limitation of movement, and muscle weakness.3 A home exercise program can relieve your pain and restore range of motion. Specific exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the hip will improve your endurance and flexibility and prevent such injuries in the future.
Tendinitis: Tendons are thick cord-like structures that connect muscles to bones. When tendons become inflamed and irritated, the condition is called tendonitis. Hip pain due to hip tendinitis is typically present on the outer part or front of the hip.4 You may also experience symptoms like mild swelling and limited mobility.
Hip tendonitis is common in people who take part in running, swimming, cycling, and other high-intensity sports.5 Treatment for hip tendonitis consists of a short period of rest, followed by physical therapy. It is important to stretch and strengthen the hip area with rehab exercises to prevent the problem from recurring.
What Treatment Options Exist
The best way to avoid groin pain after hip replacement is to avoid hip surgery altogether. Hip replacement surgery has been associated with significant complications which include pseudotumors , hip dislocations, strokes, metal toxicity due to wear particles, and an increased incidence in falls . In a recent study that followed 51 patients after hip replacement, activity level, and sleep were not improved at 6 months .
Treatment for groin pain after hip replacement depends upon the underlying source. Infection, a loose implant, and pelvic fracture require prompt surgical evaluation and may require additional surgeries. Conservative care in the form of rest, safe NSAIDs, stretching and PT are the initial treatment of choices for Iliopsoas tendonitis. When unsuccessful, steroid injections are often recommended. Steroids are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that are toxic to orthopedic tissue, and should be avoided. In addition, steroids also reduce local stem cell numbers and compromise immune system activity. Surgery is also an option if pain persists. In some cases, the Iliopsoas tendon is cut thereby relieving the pressure on the tendon. Unfortunately, this also significantly changes the biomechanics of the hip and lower extremity as the Iliopsoas tendon is a major stabilizer.
Are there new, natural treatment options? YES!
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Tests For Groin And Hip Pain
At the appointment with your doctor, they will probably:
- feel your abdomen, leg, or hip to determine the exact location of your pain
- move your leg or hip in various positions
- test your strength by having you resist as they try to move your leg
Your doctor may order imaging tests to get further information. These might include:
- X-ray. Fractures or worn-down cartilage can be seen with X-rays.
- MRI.Magnetic resonance imaging shows soft tissue injuries, such as ligament, muscle, or tendon tears.
- Ultrasound.Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your bodys organs, such as your ovaries. There is also a therapeutic form of ultrasound that is used to increase blood flow, relax muscles, and speed healing.
Ruling Out From Our Differential Diagnosis
Because we can have multiple issues happening at the same time, it is not essential to rule every differential diagnosis out. Often times, we can have multiple issues occuring at the same time. There typically is a primary diagnosis that causes other types of issues. An example of this would be hip impingement with a secondary diagnosis of trochanteric bursitis. So, keep this in mind.
Due to our results of muscle and orthopedic testing, we know that hip flexion, knee flexion and knee extension caused reproduction of symptoms. Also, the only pain occurring is at the anterior aspect of the hip joint. Therefore, in my opinion, we can rule out pathologies involving the abductor and hip extensor groups.
Since we have no lower back or sacral/sacroiliac findings on our history or examination, we are also going to rule out referral patterns from the lower back and sacroiliac joint as well as meralgia paresthetica. These diagnosis would likely be cause by nerve root inflammation of the lumbar and sacral nerves. We also know that our neurological findings were not positive, likely indicating that we are not dealing with a diagnosis involving any nerve roots.
Avascular necrosis is still in our differential at this time, however, pain was not reproduced while walking, or running. We also know that there is no history of trauma and no history of blood diseases that we are aware of. The patient also has no history of steroid or excess alcohol use which can cause this type of diagnosis.
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