Multiple factors contribute to hip pain when walking includes chronic conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis, in addition to injuries affecting the muscles, tendons, bones, or nerves adjacent to the hip. To ascertain the etiology of hip pain and obtain suitable treatment, an individual may seek consultation with a physician. The patient’s medical history and the specific region of hip pain will dictate the diagnosis and treatment plan.
While numerous illnesses associated with chronic pain are prevalent in older persons, hip discomfort can impact individuals of all ages.
Causes of Hip Pain When Walking
Hip pain associated with ambulation is a prevalent concern, according to a 2015 study. Problems in the subsequent domains are generally the source of it:
Arthritis
Arthritis is a primary cause of hip pain when walking. Individuals of all ages can develop arthritis, which encompasses over 100 different types. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are two types of arthritis that affect the joints.
In the impacted region, arthritis typically causes rigidity and discomfort.
Osteoarthritis
The breakdown of cartilage between the bones causes osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms of arthritis, eventually allowing the bones to rub against each other. Osteoarthritis in the hip can also cause pain in the groin, buttocks, and occasionally on the inside of the knee or thigh. Treatments for osteoarthritis include exercise, weight loss, surgery, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An individual with rheumatoid arthritis in the hip may encounter pain, stiffness, and swelling in the hip, thigh, or groin; generally, the ailment impacts both hips. NSAIDs, immunosuppressive therapy, thermal therapies, and topical formulations such as gels, creams, and patches, along with a balance of rest and exercise, constitute several treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Tendinopathy
Tendons are the connective tissues that connect skeletal muscle to bone. Tendonitis may result in edema, irritation, or discomfort. Often, tendon injuries or excessive use cause tendinitis. A person with tendinitis may notice a dull discomfort at the junction of the tendon and bone. Physical or occupational therapy, splints, braces, or slings; analgesics such as NSAIDs or corticosteroid injections; surgical intervention; and the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) can manage tendinitis.
Iliotibial Band Tightness
Fascia fibers that extend from the lateral hip to the top of the shin make up the iliotibial (IT) band. If the IT band is overused, it may tighten, resulting in pain and inflammation. When bending, it most frequently results in knee pain that is referred to the hip. Treatment options for tight IT bands include applying ice massage, cryotherapy, and using painkillers such as NSAIDs.
Hip Labral Tear
The labrum, a ring of cartilage that aids in holding the femur’s head (ball) in place in the pelvic acetabulum (socket), may sustain labral tears.
One of the main causes of pain for those with hip dysplasia symptoms is labral tears. A hip labral tear can cause pain throughout the hip, as well as a locking or shifty sensation in the joint and a clicking sound. Treatments for labral tears include rest, pain treatment medication, such as an NSAID, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and surgery.
Hip Flexor Strain
An injury or strain to the hip flexor muscles, which connect the femur to the lower back and hip, can make it difficult to move your knee and thigh up to your chest. Symptoms of hip flexor strain include upper leg cramping or pain and a tugging sensation in your thighs and groin. Treatments for hip flexor strain include rest, hot and cold treatments, and pain medication like an NSAID.
Sprain or Strain
When someone overuses the muscles and ligaments in their legs and hips, they may experience a sharp pain that worsens with movement. Treatments for sprains and strains include hot and cold therapies, medication for pain management, such as an NSAID, and rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE).
Synovitis
Synovitis is caused by toxins. Children are the main victims of toxic synovitis, an inflammatory hip joint condition. When a person has toxic synovitis, they may experience hip pain that gets worse when they bear weight. Rest and pain relievers like NSAIDs are two ways to treat toxic synovitis.
Osteonecrosis, or Avascular Necrosis
Avascular necrosis, also known as osteonecrosis, restricts or stops blood flow to the hip joint and other joints. A dull or throbbing hip ache that may radiate to the groin is a common symptom of this condition. Treatment options for avascular necrosis, also known as osteonecrosis, include painkillers like NSAIDs, physical therapy, joint immobilization with a brace or splint, crutch use, and surgery.
Breakage or Fracture
A 2014 study found that falls are the primary cause of hip joint fractures. Low bone density, prolonged medication use, and low activity levels are risk factors for hip fractures. When a hip joint fracture occurs, a person may experience groin pain and be unable to bear weight on the side that is injured.
A fractured hip joint can be treated with physical therapy, rehabilitation, or surgery.
Joint Effusion
There is a tiny amount of fluid in joints. Swelling can result from fluid accumulation in a joint that has arthritis, particularly inflammatory types like rheumatoid arthritis. A person who has a joint effusion may experience mild to severe pain.
NSAIDs, fluid aspiration, and physical therapy are among the treatments for joint effusion.
Displacement
The femur slips out of the hip socket, causing hip dislocation. A 2018 study found that in order to prevent more harm, a person should seek and receive treatment within six hours of the injury. A person with a dislocated hip may experience excruciating pain as well as a loose, unsteady hip joint. A closed reduction, in which a hip specialist in Dallas applies force to return the hip to its socket, and an open reduction, in which a physician makes incisions in the joint, removes extra bone or tissue, and realigns bones, are two methods of treating dislocation.
Osteomyelitis
Hip osteomyelitis is an inflammatory bone disease that is usually brought on by microbes that infect the hip joint’s bone or bones. It causes progressive loss and destruction of bone. Deep, aching pain in the upper leg and/or pelvis, as well as associated muscle spasms, may be experienced. Antibiotics or antifungal drugs are used to treat acute osteomyelitis. Antibiotics are one type of treatment for chronic or subacute osteomyelitis.
Pinched Nerve
In the hip area, a pinched (entrapped) nerve may develop. Bones, tendons, or ligaments can pinch a nerve, causing pressure or friction to irritate nerve signals. In addition to decreased mobility, numbness, or tingling, a person may experience acute pain in the thigh, buttocks, groin, and hip.
Among the treatments are:
- Stretching while at rest
- Hot and cold treatment
- NSAID medication
Sciatica
Pain caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve is termed sciatica. In order to alleviate the symptoms of sciatica, a person should consult a physician to determine the cause. From the buttocks to the feet, the sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the body. A person may experience hip, leg, and buttock pain that ranges from mild to severe.
Pain management in plano recommends Treatments for sciatica include:
- exercise and acupuncture
- corticosteroid injections
Sacroiliitis
Inflammation where the sacral spine joins the pelvis bone is known as sacroiliitis, and it typically results in pain that gets worse when you stand or walk.
There are several ways to treat sacroiliitis:
- Rest, hot and cold treatments
- Pain treatment medication, such as NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, and surgery
Conclusion
Hip pain during walking is typical. Numerous illnesses or traumas affecting the hip’s surrounding muscles, bones, or nerves can cause it.
The cause of a person’s hip pain will determine how they are treated. Hip pain when walking can be reduced with rest, exercise, painkillers, physical therapy, and, in certain situations, surgery.