Causes of pain in the hip joint and methods of treatment

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 loaded joints in the human musculoskeletal system. It is located at the junction of the femur and the pelvis. The joint has a special structure, which ensures the 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 painful discomfort in the hip joint, there is a serious decrease in its functionality with problems with movement or sitting. In some cases, numbness of the limb is possible.

The main causes of pain

In order to begin 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, the diagnosis can be difficult, since pain is provoked by a wide variety of problems - injuries, diseases of the skeleton, background pathologies of internal organs. The intensity and nature of the pain also varies. They can be both painful and sharp, burning.

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

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

1. Problems of traumatic origin - fractures affecting the femoral neck, direct bruising of the joint area, intense hip dislocations. Myositis ossificans, which appeared and progresses due to injuries inflicted on the joint, can cause discomfort and pain. Specialists also note frequent fractures of the bones of the pelvis, the development of epiphysiolysis of the femoral head.
2. Damage to the connective tissue of the hip joint, caused by the development of Reiter's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
3. Pathological disorders of the joint, which occur against the background of degenerative processes in the tissue area. For example, we speak of coxarthrosis.
4. Osteochondropathic manifestations caused by the progression of osteochondritis dissecans, Legg-Calve-Perthes pathology.
5. Deviations in the processes of skeletal development. This applies for example to the varus epiphyseal deformity of the foot, typical of adolescent patients.
6. 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, it is worth paying attention to the pathologies of a traumatic nature that can provoke them:

• Congenital damage to the hip in the form of dislocation, which occurs due to improper conduct of the birth process or is formed at the prenatal stage of child development. Such a violation can be quickly diagnosed already in newborns. They will have irregularities in the gluteal folds and may show signs of one leg shortening. In some cases, a pinched nerve occurs. Experts recommend paying special attention to the signs of such deviations, since the disease itself is considered dangerous. It often leads to the preservation of the sequelae of the trauma throughout 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 stand or sit. Edema and hematoma form in the area of the damaged joint. If there are signs of hip dislocation, any physical load is contraindicated. Sports during this period lead to a deterioration in the patient's condition, provoke the development of negative changes and pathological disorders in the hip joint. With such injuries, treatment should be started immediately.
• Fracture of the neck of the femur, which is usually characteristic of women over 60 years old. This condition is caused by a fall or blow directed at 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 side of the thigh. At the site of injury, swelling and hematoma appear. With a fracture, a shortening of the limbs is observed, a person's gait is characterized by lameness, clicks are heard in the joint area. The damage often causes a pinched nerve, leading to numbness in the thigh.
• Fracture of the femur of the pertrochanteric type - accompanied by severe or moderate pain. When the patient is moving, 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 quite quickly.

Damage to the hip joint caused by trauma is considered by specialists to be the main cause of pain. With severe fractures and dislocations, in many cases, surgical intervention is prescribed. An indication for immediate hospital admission is a pinched nerve and numbness in the limb.

The influence of systemic pathologies on the appearance of pain

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

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

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

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, sharp, 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 necessary, especially when 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 suffered injuries and are not diagnosed with autoimmune diseases. In this case, the degenerative changes caused by such diseases can become the cause:

• Varus epiphyseal deformity, which is more common in adolescents. The pains are dull and pulling, can be transmitted to the inner area of the knee joint. Increased sensations occur when running or during other sporting activities. Firing 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 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 is reduced 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. With daily stress, this symptomatology increases, although at rest it disappears. 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 musculotendinous structures, the tone drops. The last stage of the development of pathology is characterized by the appearance of pain even at rest, especially at night. Severe pain is associated with severe lameness and muscle atrophy. This leads to immobility of the patient. In the final stage, treatment is focused on inhibiting destructive changes in the joint.

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

Influence of inflammation and infections on the occurrence of pain

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:

1. Purulent arthritis. The disease is accompanied by an increase in general temperature and redness of the skin in the joints. There is an appearance of extensive edema with sharp or sharp pain. It is difficult, and sometimes it is simply impossible to carry out charges. Over time, the sensations take the form of shots. These changes require immediate treatment to prevent the development of sepsis.
2. Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, which usually develops in young and middle-aged men. The disease is activated due to disturbances in blood circulation in the joint area. Necrosis leads to the death of tissue cells. The pathological process is manifested by an emerging pain syndrome that radiates to the groin area, as well as a burning sensation in the damaged areas. The intensity of the pain can be so intense that a person finds it difficult to support the limb. This leads to problems getting out of bed. An injection with a painkiller is used to anesthetize the joint. Symptoms disappear after some time, but further progression of the disease causes atrophy of muscles and tendons. The person begins to limp, his gait changes.
3. Tuberculous arthritis. Pathology is a different manifestation in young children with a weakened immune system. Progress is very slow. The child has increased fatigue, he is inactive in games. Muscle atrophy is accompanied by clicks in the joint and shortening of the limb. After some time, pains appear in the joint, which pull or burn in nature. The joint is covered with suppuration with increased symptoms.
4. Bursitis is an inflammatory lesion covering the articular sac of the joint. The main symptom is pain that spreads along the limb. Sharp pains are aggravated during movement. At rest, the member hurts, it burns.

Due to the development of infectious processes, various pains in the hip joint occur. It may be a burning sensation, tightness or dull discomfort. The intensity of sensations can be high, and as a result, a person finds it difficult to rest at night. This condition requires immediate treatment.

Diagnosis of pathologies

Complex diagnostics, which should include:

• ultrasound examination of the condition of the hip joint;
• x-ray 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 diagnosis.

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

Treatment characteristics

If rare or intermittent pain occurs, 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 brace is placed in the area of the baby's joint. These can be stirrups or spacers. In some cases, the use of a Frejka pillow is recommended. Thanks to these designs, the baby's legs are in a physiologically correct position. The child carries these funds for 6 months, sometimes more.

When conventional therapies fail, surgery may be indicated. Operationally, the femoral head is reduced and some associated defects are eliminated. After removing braces, 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 repositioning. Thereafter, the patient must be at rest in order 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 therapeutic methods are possible, but often they do not bring the desired effect. In the absence of the possibility of an operation, a plaster-like dressing is applied to the patient from the lumbar sector to the heel.

It is important to remember that the most severe effects are experienced by elderly patients. Fractures in them usually do not grow together, and the recovery period itself lasts several months.

In addition, damage has many consequences. Patients have a lack of functionality of the respiratory organs, disruption of the cardiac and vascular system, due to the lack of conditions for an active lifestyle and normal movements. Patients experience difficulty in sitting, resulting in a burning sensation in the soft tissue area as a result of the fracture.

During the operation, the head and the bony body are fixed with pins and screws. Stent technology 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 disorders. During treatment, medications are taken - anti-inflammatories, hormone-like drugs, immunosuppressants. In addition, physiotherapy is carried out.

A course of physical exercises to stretch the muscles is also prescribed. Massage is useful in this state - the joint is worked from 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 the 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-inflammatories are also prescribed. In the therapeutic process, it is necessary to determine the place of glucocorticosteroids, agents that depress the activity of the immune system and ointments for topical use.

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 aimed at maintaining muscle tone through physical activity, for example, stretching.

Rheumatoid type arthritis

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

• cytostatics;
• hormonal drugs;
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• antirheumatic agents.

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

Coxarthrosis

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

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

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

In the later stages of the progression of the pathology, conservative treatment methods are ineffective. In this state, the deterioration of well-being occurs with minimal stress. To get out of bed, anesthesia with injections is necessary. The treatment is performed surgically due to arthroplasty of the joint. Elderly patients are not prescribed such a procedure, but 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

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

1. With purulent arthritis, anesthesia of the hip joint is carried out by introducing painkiller into the joint area. May involve several types of drugs at the same time. An antibacterial agent is used in combination with an antibiotic. Pustules are also removed. To ensure the fixation of the limb, a cast is applied or a splint is used.
2. Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head requires the normalization of blood circulation and the resorption of dead zones. NSAIDs are used to relieve pain. The treatment plan includes vitamins, drugs that reduce blood viscosity. Massages and anesthetic ointments will help get rid of painful pains. In parallel, physiotherapy and exercise therapy are prescribed. In severe cases of the disease, minimally invasive operations or joint replacements are performed.
3. Bursitis requires quick pain relief from the joint. At the same time, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, administered intramuscularly, are prescribed. Steroid drugs help eliminate severe symptoms of discomfort and pain. The affected joint should be at rest.
4. In tuberculous arthritis, conservative treatment methods are used. The baby must be still, and therefore a tight bandage is used. The appearance of an abscess in the soft tissue area will require its removal.

Use traditional medicine recipes

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

• Compresses made from blue or white clay. They help eliminate swelling and minimize pain. Apply a clay compress before bed and let it sit overnight. From above, the damaged area is wrapped with a warm piece of cloth.
• Compresses 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 manifestation of burning or acute pain. From above it should be covered with a film, and then insulated with a scarf or a woolen scarf. The duration of procedures can be up to 1 month. Between manipulations, it is recommended to rub and stroke the affected area.
• Ointment based on visceral fat and white foot. Pour 250 g of crushed root into the previously melted fat and boil over low heat for 7 minutes. Allow product to cool, then apply to joint surface and allow to sit overnight. A wool cloth is applied on top of the treated area. Thus, it will be possible to remove puffiness and other symptoms.
• A medicine of 2 lemons, 300 g of celeriac, 130 g of garlic will help get rid of severe pain in the tendon area. Components should 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 tbsp. before meals for 1-3 months.