Osteoarthitis, rheumatoid arthitis and traumatic arthritis are the three most common types of arthitis that often are the cause of hip pain. Otheoarthitis usually occurs in elderly individuals, especially those with arthitis in the family history. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder which causes inflammation, pain and stiffiness. Traumatic arthritis can occur after a hip injury or fracture.
Another cause of hip pain is a hip injury or hip fracture. Hip fractures are most often caused by slips or falls, but can also be caused by conditions such as osteonecrosis, ostoeporosis, cancer and stress injuries. Osteonecrisis causes damage to the cartilage around the hip and can, over a period of time, cause hip pain, stiffness and even fractures. Osteoporosis, cancer and stress injuries can result in hip fractures by weakening the bone, making the hip more susceptible to breaks.
Symptoms of Hip Injury & Arthritis
Someone who has a hip stress injury or a weakened hip bone usually experiences an ache in the thigh or groin area. Hip fractures or broken hips are accompanied by pain in the hip and side and sometimes the injured leg may appear shorter than the other. Often, holding the injured leg still, with the foot turned outward can temporarily alleviate some of the pain caused by the broken bone.
Syptoms of arthritis in the hip are most commonly hip pain and joint stiffness, especially while moving.
Solutions for Hip Pain
Exercise can decrease symptoms and relieve hand and wrist pain for a lot of people. The goals are to get more blood flowing to the hand, wrist and elbow in order to move the nerve and let the part of the nerve inside the carpal tunnel slip out for a breather.
Try fully curling your fingers into a fist and then bending your wrist toward the palm. Then straighten your fingers and stretch your wrist back the other way. Repeat these motions about ten times.
In some cases, arthritis in the hip can cause disabling pain and stiffness. In this instance, it may be time to consider hip replacement. If your hip pain limits your daily activities, continues while at rest and you do not experience relief with medications, hip replacement surgery may be the best option. Your orthopedic surgeon will evaluate your situation and help you decide which treatment option to pursue. For more information on hip replacement surgery and other types of hip injuries, visit The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
