Causes and treatment methods of pain in the hip joint

The human bone-joint structure is characterized by a complex structure and contains various 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 pelvis. The joint has a unique structure that ensures free movement of the limb in different directions. The ability of a person to walk upright is associated with this joint. There is a serious decrease in functionality with the appearance of pain in the hip joint, problems with movement or sitting. In some cases, limb numbness is possible.

The main causes of pain

In order to start the treatment of pathologies of the hip joint in time, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination as early as possible to determine the diseases and the causes of their manifestations. At the same time, diagnosis can be difficult, because pain is provoked by various problems - injuries, skeletal diseases, background pathologies of internal organs. The intensity and nature of the pain also varies. They can be both painful and sharp, burning.

Most complaints of pain in the hip joint can be heard from patients over 50 years old. Moreover, such violations usually occur in women. This refers to pathologies of the joint itself or the hip.

Pain can be caused by factors affecting the condition of the joint:

1. Problems of traumatic origin - fractures affecting the neck of the femur, direct bruising of the articular region, severe hip dislocations. Myositis ossificans, which occurs as a result of joint damage and progresses, can cause discomfort and pain. Experts also note frequent fractures of the pelvic bones, the development of epiphysiolysis of the femoral head.
2. Connective tissue damage in the hip joint caused by the development of Reiter's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
3. Pathological disorders of articulation that occur against the background of degenerative processes in the tissue area. For example, we are talking about coxarthrosis.
4. Osteochondropathic manifestations are caused by the progression of osteochondritis dissecans, Legg-Calve-Perthes pathology.
5. Deviations in skeletal development processes. For example, this refers to epiphyseal varus deformity of the foot, which is characteristic of adolescent patients.
6. Inflammatory changes in soft articular tissues. These pathologies include bursitis, transient synovitis, coxitis of the articular variety due to the influence of the tubercle bacillus.

Traumatic causes of pain syndrome

With the appearance of pain in the hip joint, attention should be paid to the traumatic pathologies that can cause them:

• Congenital injury of the hip in the form of a dislocation that occurs due to improper delivery or is formed during the prenatal stage of the child's development. Such a disorder can be diagnosed quickly in newborns. They will have an imbalance in the gluteal folds and may show signs of shortening of one leg. In some cases, a pinched nerve occurs. Experts advise to pay attention to the signs of such deviations, because the disease itself is considered dangerous. It often leads to lifelong preservation of the effects of trauma.
• Traumatic hip dislocation - there are sharp pains, as a result of which the ability to move is lost. The patient cannot take an upright position 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. During this period, exercise causes the patient's condition to deteriorate, causes the development of negative changes and pathological disorders in the hip joint. Treatment for such injuries should be started immediately.
• A fracture of the neck of the femur, usually characteristic of women over 60 years of age. This condition is caused by a fall or a blow to the hip joint area. When a fracture occurs, the patient feels a sharp pain syndrome. Such pain will intensify during movement. Gradually, the pain moves to the inner side of the thigh. Swelling and hematoma appear at the site of injury. With a fracture, shortening of limbs is observed, a person's gait is characterized by a limp, clicks are heard in the joint area. The damage often causes a pinched nerve, resulting in numbness in the thigh.
• Pertrochanteric fracture of the femur - accompanied by severe or moderate pain. When the patient moves, the pain begins to intensify. A possible result is a pinched nerve that causes back pain and numbness in the extremities.
• Getting a bruise on the hip joint. The pain syndrome is moderate, but active movement can cause it to increase. At this time, the pain decreases and disappears when a person rests. This factor is considered the most common. Bruises are often diagnosed in patients who fall, especially in the elderly. The patient complains of lameness, but this symptom disappears relatively quickly.

Traumatic injuries to the hip joint are considered by experts to be the main cause of pain. In many cases with serious fractures and dislocations, surgical intervention is prescribed. An indication for immediate hospitalization is nerve compression and limb numbness.

The effect of systemic pathologies on the appearance of pain

A frequent cause of pain in the hip joint when walking or in another position of the body is the development of systemic lesions of the connective tissue. Such pathologies require a constant treatment process, because they belong to the group of practically incurables. It is important to ensure the comprehensive nature of the treatment, which affects the causes of the initiation and development of pain and other symptoms.

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

1. Ankylosing spondylitis, which causes dull pain in the joint. Patients affected by this disease note that negative symptoms increase at night. Usually, the sensations are localized in the sacrum or pelvis. The pain syndrome can be in the knee joint, thigh, groin area. Frequent shots are possible. In this case, walking and other movements become difficult, the patient shows stiffness. The pain in the thigh region is severe and the joint inflammatory process is affected.
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 an intestinal infection. The development of the pathological process can begin several weeks or even months after the pathogens penetrate the body. Patients complain of acute hip pain. Pain syndrome also affects the joints. This causes an increase in body temperature. There is swelling in the pelvic area on the left and right side. This pathology is usually associated with the symmetrical nature of joint damage.
3. Rheumatoid arthritis in which connective tissue damage is observed. The development process of the disease does not lead to the formation and release of purulent masses. Usually, the pathology is a harbinger of the possibility of developing coxarthrosis of the hip joint. The disease progresses gradually, although the initial symptoms are swelling and swelling. The patient begins to complain of discomfort and pain during movement. 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 movements, activation of pain syndrome in the lateral lying position. In most pathological cases, it develops symmetrically. Destruction of the hip joint causes nerve compression and numbness of the limbs. A rapid start of the therapeutic process is required.

Pathologies of a systemic nature often cause a lot of discomfort to patients. There are pains that differ in intensity and character. They can be sharp, sharp, pulling. It is very difficult to get rid of such anxiety on your own, even finding the body at rest does not help. Therefore, targeted treatment is required, especially when pathology is detected in newborns. Ignoring symptoms can worsen a person's condition.

Pain caused by degenerative disorders

Often, patients report sharp, burning or pulling pains in the joints, but they are not injured and autoimmune diseases are not diagnosed. In this case, degenerative changes caused by such diseases can cause:

• Epiphyseal varus deformity is the most common among teenagers. Pains are dull and pulling, can be given to the inner zone of the knee joint. Increased sensations occur during running or other sports activities. Shots are observed from time to time, clicks are heard in the connection.
• 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 long and complex therapy. It causes active progression of degenerative and destructive articular disorders. The main symptomatology is reduced by the feeling of pain in the joints after physical exertion. During rest, these feelings disappear, there are no restrictions on movements. Later, the pain spreads to the groin and thigh. This symptomatology increases with daily stress, although it disappears at rest. With long-term walking, lameness begins to appear, clicks are heard in the joint. At the same time, there is a malfunction of the muscle-tendon structures, the tone decreases. The last stage of the development of the pathology is characterized by the appearance of pain even at rest, especially at night. Severe pain is combined with severe lameness and muscle atrophy. This causes immobility of the patient. At the final stage, treatment is aimed at preventing destructive changes in the joint.

The development of degenerative pathologies leads to permanent lameness, which leads to a violation of labor functions and a decrease in performance. Lack of physical activity worsens the patient's condition. Over time, even getting out of bed becomes difficult.

The effect of inflammation and infections on 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 articular bag.

Pathological processes are also caused by infectious diseases:

1. Purulent arthritis. The disease is accompanied by an increase in general temperature and redness of the skin in the joint area. There is an appearance of extensive edema with acute or sharp pain. It is difficult and sometimes it is simply impossible to carry out any load. Over time, sensations take the form of shooting. 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 the violation of blood circulation in the joint area. Necrosis causes the death of tissue cells. The pathological process manifests itself in a sharp pain syndrome spreading to the groin area, as well as a burning sensation in the damaged areas. The intensity of the pain can be so severe that the person has difficulty supporting the limb. This causes problems getting out of bed. An injection with an analgesic is used for joint anesthesia. Symptoms disappear after a while, but further progression of the disease causes atrophy of muscles and tendons. A person begins to limp, his gait changes.
3. Tuberculous arthritis. In young children with a weakened immune system, the pathology is a different manifestation. Progress is very slow. The child has increased fatigue and is inactive in games. Muscle atrophy is accompanied by clicks in the joint and shortening of the limb. After some time, pain appears in the joint, which is pulling or burning in nature. The joint is covered with pus with increasing symptoms.
4. Bursitis is an inflammatory lesion that surrounds the articular bag of the joint. The main symptom is pain that spreads throughout the limb. Sharp pains intensify during movement. The limb hurts and burns at rest.

Due to the development of infectious processes, various pains occur in the hip joint. It can be a burning, pulling or dull discomfort. The intensity of feelings can be high, and therefore a person has difficulty in resting at night. This condition requires immediate treatment.

Diagnosis of pathologies

Comprehensive diagnostics, including:

• ultrasound examination of the condition of the hip joint;
• x-ray examination in two projections;
• rheumatoid factors, laboratory research of blood parameters based on general and biochemical analysis, which contribute to the increase in the number of leukocytes, changes in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation;
• general examination of the patient with fixation of complaints and palpation of the damaged area;
• MRI diagnostics.

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

Features of treatment

If rare or intermittent pain occurs, the symptom should not be ignored. In this case, you should consult a doctor and start treatment. The therapeutic process is determined by the cause of the pain.

Presence of congenital dislocation

With such a pathology, a special orthopedic device is placed in the joint area of the baby. These can be stirrups or gaps. In some cases, it is recommended to use a Frejka pillow. Thanks to these designs, the baby's feet are in the correct physiological position. The child wears these means for 6 months, sometimes longer.

When conventional treatment is ineffective, surgical intervention may be indicated. Surgically, the femoral head is reduced and some associated defects are corrected. After removing orthopedic devices, light massage procedures are prescribed to strengthen muscle structures.

Traumatic dislocation

This type of damage requires the use of drugs to change muscle tone and location. Afterwards, the patient should rest to stabilize the structures. If there are complaints of numbness, this will indicate a pinched nerve. In this case, you should consult a neurologist.

Hip fracture

The treatment of this injury is carried out by a traumatologist with surgical manipulations. Conservative therapy methods are possible, but often do not give the desired effect. If surgery is not possible, a plaster-type bandage 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 leads to many consequences. Lack of functionality of respiratory organs, heart and vascular system disorders are observed in patients. This is due to the lack of conditions for an active lifestyle and normal movement. Patients experience problems with sitting, resulting in a burning sensation in the soft tissue area as a result of the fracture.

During the operation, the head and bone body are fixed with pins and screws. Endoprosthetic technology is used.

Development of Bechterev syndrome

Treatment of this pathology requires an integrated approach that allows reducing the intensity of symptoms caused by inflammatory disorders. During therapy, drugs are taken - anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal drugs, immunosuppressants. In addition, physiotherapy is carried out.

A course of physical exercises is also prescribed to stretch the muscles. Massage is useful in this case - depending on the manifestation of the disease, the joint is worked on the left or right side.

The therapeutic process is determined by the attending physician based 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, then a joint replacement procedure is performed.

Reiter's disease

Treatment of this disease is impossible without the use of antibiotics. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed. In the therapeutic process, the place of glucocorticosteroids, agents that reduce the activity of the immune system, and ointments for local use should be determined.

The treatment period 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 physical activity, for example, measures to maintain muscle tone through stretching.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Due to the progression of arthritis, pain can occur not only when moving the joint, but also at rest. It is impossible to completely eliminate such pain. The therapeutic effect is aimed at improving the quality of life of patients. Prescribe drugs for this purpose:

• cytostatics;
• hormonal drugs;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• antirheumatic agents.

Surgical intervention is prescribed only when the disease is in the final stages. In this case, the patient has serious problems in walking and sitting. Surgical manipulations are performed by the method of joint fixation or arthroplasty. In the recovery process, stretching exercises, external ointments are prescribed.

Coxarthrosis

The therapy of this pathology is aimed at eliminating the causes of its manifestation. In the early stages, the disease can be treated with conservative therapy:

• NSAIDs;
• chondroprotectors;
• means that restore blood flow;
• pain relievers;
• local ointments with a warming effect.

The treatment complex also includes low-intensity exercise therapy. If necessary, injections are used for joint anesthesia.

In the last stages of the development of the pathology, conservative treatment methods are ineffective. In this case, the deterioration of well-being occurs with minimal stress. Getting out of bed requires anesthesia with a needle. Treatment is carried out surgically due to joint arthroplasty. Elderly patients are not prescribed such a procedure, but are limited to auxiliary manipulations.

After the operation, the rehabilitation process begins. Non-intensive stretching, light exercises with little load 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 performed by applying an analgesic to the articular area. It can contain several types of drugs at the same time. An antibacterial agent is used together with an antibiotic. Pustules are also removed. A cast is applied or a splint is used to secure the limb.
2. Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head requires normalization of blood circulation and resorption of dead zones. NSAIDs are used to relieve pain. The therapy plan includes vitamins, drugs that reduce blood viscosity. Massages and anesthetic ointments will help to get rid of the aching pain. In parallel, physiotherapy and exercise therapy are prescribed. In severe cases of the disease, minimally invasive operations or arthroplasty are performed.
3. Bursitis requires quick pain relief of the joint. At the same time, an analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug administered intramuscularly is prescribed. Steroid medications help relieve symptoms of severe anxiety and pain. The affected joint should be rested.
4. Conservative treatment methods are used in tuberculous arthritis. The baby must be still, and therefore a tight bandage is used. The appearance of an abscess in a soft tissue area will require removal.

Use traditional medicine recipes

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

• Compresses based on blue or white clay. They help reduce swelling and minimize pain. Apply a compress with clay before going to bed and leave it overnight. From above, the damaged area is wrapped with a warm 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 burning or acute pain. It should be covered with a film from above, and then insulated with a woolen scarf or scarf. The duration of the procedures is up to 1 month. Between manipulations, it is recommended to rub and tap the affected area.
• Ointment with visceral fat and white leg root. Pour 250 g of chopped root into pre-melted oil and boil for 7 minutes on low heat. Allow the product to cool, then apply to the surface of the joint and leave overnight. A woolen cloth is applied over the treated area. Thus, it will be possible to eliminate swelling and other symptoms.
• Medicine of 2 lemons, 300 g of celery root, 130 g of garlic will help to get rid of severe pain in the tendon area. The 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 tsp. 1-3 months before eating.