Pain in the hip joint

The hip joint is one of the largest and strongest joints of the human skeleton. This joint is under tremendous strain, which often leads to violations of its basic locomotor functions. Therefore, pain in the hip joint, according to physicians, is one of the most common pathologies associated with joint diseases in the human body.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

Causes of the pain in the hip joint

Modern medicine describes a lot of different reasons, because of which the hip joint can cause pain. Usually the "deterioration of health" of this joint is affected by injuries or systematic diseases.

Pain in case of trauma. Of course, injuries are the most common cause among patients who complain of pain in the hip joint. However, pain can occur not only with joint damage, but also with trauma of nearby organs, bones, tendons, musculature. It is worth to sound the alarm, if after the injury the pain does not abate a whole week. Then you need to urgently run to the neurologist and manual therapist, who will be able to prescribe the right course of treatment. 

In any case, whatever the pain, you need to go to the hospital. Remember: the timely beginning of the treatment of pain in the hip joint allows you to establish an accurate diagnosis. It is not necessary to start joint disease in any case, because if you do not go to the doctor in time, complications can be much more serious than the trauma or inflammation itself assumed. By the way, any damage to the hip joint, its synovial membrane, periarticular tissues, as well as post-traumatic reduction in the amount of joint fluid can cause the violation of the main function of the joint. It is dangerous to destroy the articular tissues, which are very difficult to reconstruct.

Pain in case of systemic diseases. Inflammation in the connective tissues of the hip joint can be a kind of litmus that signals systemic diseases or infections. In such cases, of course, it makes sense to start treatment for a systemic disease. Non-traumatic hip joint pains are characteristic of osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis, infectious arthritis, and pathology associated with the operation of blood vessels and capillaries that supply blood to the joint and bones of which it is composed.

Diagnostics of the pain in the hip joint

Diagnosing problems in the hip joint is difficult, because the joint itself is deeply "hidden" inside the body behind the muscles and internal organs. Therefore, at the first stage of diagnosis, doctors use x-ray methods, and only then they are prescribed the appropriate course of treatment, depending on the complexity and form of the disease.

When the pain in the hip joint becomes unbearable and does not subside after three days, while the swelling and reddening of the skin is visible, doctors should be immediately consulted.

[6], [7], [8], [9]

Complications and consequences

Mechanical wear of the hip joint, "erasing" cartilage and other articular elements often leads to inflammation of the internal part, causing severe pain. Not so often, but still there are cases of complete erasure of the cartilage, as a result of which the femoral head touches the bone of the pelvic cavity, creating friction and painful sensations. 

The insidiousness of pain in the hip joint is that unpleasant sensations can move towards the thigh and lower leg. Damage to the spine in the lumbar region can also cause severe pain in the joint. 

Among other symptoms indicative of musculoskeletal disorders in the pelvic region, there may be a deterioration in the elasticity of the hamstrings with impaired mobility. This phenomenon is due to the fact that the nerve fibers that fit to the hip and knee joint are interwoven criss-cross.  

More serious forms of disorders of normal functioning of the hip joint often cause lameness. Visually, the legs may appear different in length. When the disease of the hip joint begins to progress, its mobility can deteriorate significantly. This symptom is especially noticeable when moving after a state of rest. 

[10], [11], [12], [13]

Prevention

That the hip joints "last" longer, were more traumatic and retained mobility for a long time, doctors advise to carry out preventive exercises with the abduction muscles of the hip. It is these muscles that stabilize the mechanical movements of the joint. A few simple exercises will help "harden" the abducting femoral muscle.

• Exercise number 1. Stand up straight and lean your hands on the surface of the table, as if you want to do push-ups. The back and legs should be on the same line. Please note that there are no deflections in the lumbar spine. Here in this position, slowly take your left leg to the side of the leg, and just slowly return it to its original position. Similarly, the exercise is performed for the right foot. It is enough 5-10 repetitions. 
• Exercise number 2. Take the standing position, legs together. The left leg is bent at the knee, and the pelvis is taken towards the right leg. Now, very slowly, without sharp movements, lean forward, keeping your back straight. Perform the exercise several times. Similarly - in a symmetrical position.

Performing such simple exercises, as well as following a correct diet, which includes dishes saturated with calcium and fluoride, can not only alleviate the pain in the hip joint, but also keep the hip joint healthy for many years.