Hip Pain

Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of a painful hip. A healthy hip joint is a ball and socket with a protective layer of articular cartilage that allows your hip bones to glide together with very little friction. Osteoarthritis can cause joint deterioration, which affects people aged 60 and older when the articular cartilage in their hip joint wears down or is damaged, causing bones to constantly grind together and produce inflammation.

Cartilage Injury

Cartilage injury can occur by means of a traumatic injury or be the result of wear and tear that happens over time. If the cartilage is damaged, it can no longer provide a smooth surface for the bones to move against, which can lead to hip pain.

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) is a painful condition that occurs when additional bone grows along one or both hip bones that form the hip joint. This changes the way your bones move together, causing friction. This friction can be painful and cause your range of motion to diminish. 

Thankfully, femoroacetabular impingement can often be managed through minimally invasive hip arthroscopy. However, in some cases, hip replacement surgery may be needed to correct the problem.

Hip Bursitis

On the outside area of your hip, there is a fluid-filled sac called a bursa, which cushions your joints. If your bursa becomes inflamed even slightly, it can become quite painful. You may be at higher risk for hip bursitis, or even trochanteric bursitis, if you are overweight or have gout, or if you are a runner or regular stair climber.

Hip Fracture

You can be susceptible to sustaining a hip fracture regardless of your age. Hip fractures can be caused by high-impact falls, other traumatic incidents, and bone loss. Patients with osteoporosis are at risk for fractures even without high-impact trauma. This serious injury should be addressed without delay to prevent additional health issues from developing.

Labral Tear

If you have a labral tear, you will most likely experience pain in your hip and groin, stiffness, and limited range of motion. A labral tear will usually require surgery. Thankfully, surgical treatment can be minimally invasive.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disorder that affects your entire body, including your hip joint. Unlike osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear, RA inflammation is connected to your immune system, attacking the tissues of your body. Severe RA can cause joint disease.

Tendon Tear

Tendon tears are another cause of hip pain. The tendons are the tissues that connect the muscles to the bones. If one of these tendons becomes torn, it can cause pain in the hip area.