What causes sharp, stabbing pain in the hip. How can you diagnose the source of hip pain. What are effective treatments for alleviating hip discomfort. When should you seek medical help for hip pain. How can you prevent hip issues and maintain joint health.

Understanding the Anatomy of Hip Pain

The hip joint is a complex structure that plays a crucial role in mobility and everyday activities. When pain strikes this area, it can significantly impact one’s quality of life. Sharp, stabbing pain in the hip is a common complaint that can stem from various underlying causes.

The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint where the head of the femur (thighbone) fits into the acetabulum (hip socket). This joint is surrounded by muscles, ligaments, and a network of nerves that can all potentially contribute to pain sensations.

Common Locations of Hip Pain

• Groin area
• Outside of the hip
• Buttocks
• Upper thigh

Is hip pain always felt directly in the hip joint? Not necessarily. Due to the complex network of nerves in the region, hip pain can sometimes be referred to other areas like the groin or thigh. This is why a thorough examination is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI): A Leading Cause of Sharp Hip Pain

Among the various conditions that can cause hip discomfort, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) stands out as a frequent culprit behind sharp, stabbing pain. FAI occurs when there is abnormal contact between the ball and socket of the hip joint, often due to bone overgrowth or structural abnormalities.

Symptoms of FAI

• Sharp, stabbing pain in the groin or outer hip
• Discomfort when sitting, especially in low seats
• Catching, popping, or clicking sensations in the hip
• Pain that worsens with physical activity

How does FAI develop? FAI can be caused by structural abnormalities present from birth, or it may develop over time due to repetitive motions or sports activities that put stress on the hip joint. The condition is particularly common in athletes and active individuals.

Other Potential Causes of Hip Pain

While FAI is a leading cause of sharp hip pain, it’s not the only potential culprit. Several other conditions can lead to discomfort in the hip region:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can affect the hip, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. It’s more common in older adults and can result from wear and tear over time.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This autoimmune condition can affect multiple joints, including the hip. It causes inflammation, pain, and potential joint damage if left untreated.

Trochanteric Bursitis

Inflammation of the bursa (a fluid-filled sac) near the hip joint can cause pain on the outer side of the hip. This condition is more prevalent in women and can result from injury, overuse, or posture problems.

Hip Fractures

Particularly common in older adults or those with osteoporosis, hip fractures can cause severe pain and require immediate medical attention.

Tendonitis

Inflammation of the tendons around the hip joint can lead to acute pain, often due to overexertion or repetitive motions.

Can hip pain be referred from other areas of the body? Yes, sometimes hip pain can originate from issues in the lower back or knees. This is why a comprehensive evaluation is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosing the Source of Hip Pain

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of hip pain. Healthcare professionals use a combination of methods to identify the underlying cause:

Physical Examination

A doctor will assess your range of motion, strength, and pain responses through various movements and tests.

Imaging Studies

• X-rays: To visualize bone structure and detect arthritis or fractures
• MRI: Provides detailed images of soft tissues, helpful in diagnosing labral tears or FAI
• CT scan: Offers 3D images of the hip joint, useful for complex cases

Blood Tests

These can help identify inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

How long does it typically take to diagnose hip pain? The diagnosis process can vary depending on the complexity of the case. Some conditions can be identified during an initial consultation, while others may require multiple tests and follow-up appointments.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Hip Pain

Many cases of hip pain, including those caused by FAI, can be managed effectively without surgery. Here are some non-invasive treatment options:

Physical Therapy

A structured physical therapy program can significantly improve hip pain and function. Studies have shown that PT can lead to improvements in hip pain scores and may reduce the need for surgery in some cases.

Medications

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation
• Analgesics for pain relief
• In some cases, corticosteroid injections may be recommended

Lifestyle Modifications

Simple changes in daily activities and exercise habits can often provide relief:

• Avoiding activities that exacerbate pain
• Using assistive devices like canes or walkers if needed
• Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce stress on the hip joint

Alternative Therapies

Some patients find relief through alternative treatments such as:

• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy
• Yoga or gentle stretching exercises

How effective are non-surgical treatments for hip pain? The success of non-surgical treatments can vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Many patients experience significant improvement with conservative management, while others may eventually require surgical intervention.

Surgical Interventions for Persistent Hip Pain

When conservative treatments fail to provide adequate relief, surgical options may be considered. The type of surgery depends on the underlying cause of hip pain:

Hip Arthroscopy

This minimally invasive procedure is often used to treat FAI and labral tears. It involves making small incisions to insert a camera and surgical instruments, allowing the surgeon to repair damaged tissues.

Hip Replacement

For severe cases of osteoarthritis or other degenerative conditions, total hip replacement may be recommended. This procedure involves replacing the damaged joint with an artificial implant.

Osteotomy

In some cases of FAI, an osteotomy (cutting and reshaping the bone) may be performed to correct structural abnormalities.

What is the recovery time for hip surgery? Recovery times can vary significantly depending on the type of surgery performed. Hip arthroscopy typically has a shorter recovery period compared to total hip replacement, but individual healing times may differ.

Preventing Hip Pain and Maintaining Joint Health

While not all causes of hip pain are preventable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and maintain overall joint health:

Regular Exercise

• Low-impact activities like swimming or cycling
• Strength training to support the muscles around the hip joint
• Flexibility exercises to maintain range of motion

Proper Nutrition

A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help maintain bone strength and joint health.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Excess weight puts additional stress on the hip joints, increasing the risk of pain and osteoarthritis.

Ergonomic Considerations

Pay attention to your posture and ergonomics, especially if you have a sedentary job or engage in repetitive activities.

Can hip pain be completely prevented? While it’s not always possible to prevent hip pain entirely, these preventive measures can significantly reduce your risk and help maintain overall joint health.

When to Seek Medical Help for Hip Pain

While some cases of hip pain may resolve on their own or with home remedies, there are situations where professional medical attention is necessary:

Signs You Should See a Doctor

• Severe pain that interferes with daily activities
• Pain that persists for more than a few weeks
• Sudden, intense pain following an injury
• Signs of infection (fever, redness, warmth around the joint)
• Difficulty bearing weight on the affected leg
• Noticeable deformity or swelling in the hip area

How urgently should you seek medical care for hip pain? If you experience sudden, severe pain or any signs of infection, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. For chronic or gradually worsening pain, scheduling an appointment with your healthcare provider is advisable.

Understanding the complexities of hip pain and its various causes is crucial for effective management and treatment. Whether you’re dealing with sharp, stabbing pain from FAI or discomfort from other conditions, a comprehensive approach involving proper diagnosis, tailored treatment, and preventive measures can help you maintain an active, pain-free lifestyle. Remember, early intervention often leads to better outcomes, so don’t hesitate to consult with a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing persistent hip pain.

Sharp, Stabbing Pain in Hip

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The hip’s joints help swing your leg while you’re walking the dog. They also allow you to swing your leg out when getting out of the car and make many other common movements possible. However, even these normal daily activities can be a trial if your hip is painful. 

Unfortunately, people are all too likely to develop hip pain. Medical researchers report that up to 40% of athletes develop chronic hip pain, and up to 15% of adults over 60 also experience pain in this joint. There is one issue that commonly causes constant sharp, stabbing pain in the hip. Luckily, there are also several treatment options that can help you deal with this issue. 

This issue is likely causing the sharp, stabbing pain in your hip

A few issues can cause pain and dysfunction in your hip joints. Hip osteoarthritis and referred pain from the lower back can easily cause hips to be painful. However, people who are feeling sharp, stabbing pains in their hip are likely dealing with an issue called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).  

FAI occurs when the rim of cartilage around the socket of the hip joint, or labrum, is damaged or torn. Typically, this condition leads to symptoms such as: 

• Sharp, stabbing pain in the groin area or outer hip 
• Discomfort when sitting, particularly in low seats
• Catching, popping, snapping or clicking sensations in the hip

What can you do to reduce the sharp, stabbing pain in your hip?

Surgery is one of the most commonly used treatment options for FAI and the sharp, stabbing hip pain it causes. However, physical therapy is a less invasive option that can offer you several benefits. 

Some of the benefits FAI patients could get from physical therapy include: 

• Improvements in hip pain and function — The International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT) is designed to measure hip pain and function. One study reports that a physical therapy program improved iHOT scores by 16 points on average over 12 weeks. 

• Reduced need for hip surgery — Studies show that physical therapy for FAI can help patients decrease their need for surgery. Researchers from one study report that only 4 of the 37 participants who had physical therapy elected to have surgery. 

Armor Physical Therapy is ready to help treat your hip pain

Do you have sharp, stabbing pain in your hip? Our therapy specialists at Armor Physical Therapy are here to help you. We offer free screenings that can reveal the source of your hip pain. Our team also excels at building personalized therapy plans intended to reduce hip pain. You can even get therapy from home thanks to our virtual care and at-home therapy services, and none of our services require that you have a doctor’s referral. 

Contact us today for more information about how we can help with your hip pain or to schedule an initial appointment. 

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Causes, Treatments, and When to Seek Help

Hip pain is the general term for pain in or around the hip joint. It isn’t always felt in the hip itself but may instead be felt in the groin or thigh.

Read on to learn about the causes of hip pain and how it’s diagnosed and treated.

Certain injuries or conditions can cause hip pain.

Inflamed tendons

The most common cause of acute hip pain is inflamed tendons, or tendonitis. This is often due to too much exercise. This condition can be very painful, but it usually heals within a few days.

Arthritis

The most common cause of long-term hip pain is arthritis. Arthritis can cause pain, stiff and tender joints, and difficulty walking. There are various types of arthritis:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) can be the result of age-related wearing down of the cartilage that surrounds the joints.
• Trauma to a joint, like a fracture, may cause traumatic arthritis like osteoarthritis.
• Infectious arthritis is due to an infection in the joint causing the destruction of cartilage.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is due to the body’s immune system launching an attack on the joints. This type of arthritis may eventually destroy joint cartilage and bones.

Osteoarthritis is much more common than rheumatoid arthritis.

Trochanteric bursitis

Another possible cause of hip pain is trochanteric bursitis. This condition occurs when the bursa, which is a liquid-filled sac near the hip joint, becomes inflamed.

A number of factors can cause trochanteric bursitis, including hip injury, overuse of the joints or posture problems.

Other conditions such as RA can also cause hip pain. This condition is much more common in women than in men.

Hip fractures

Hip fractures are common in older adults and in those who have osteoporosis, which is a weakening of the bones due to age or other factors.

Hip fractures cause very sudden, severe hip pain, and they require immediate medical attention. There are complications that can arise from a fractured hip, such as a blood clot in the leg.

A hip fracture usually requires surgery to be corrected. You’ll most likely need to have physical therapy to recover.

There are other, less common conditions that can cause hip pain. These include snapping hip syndrome and osteonecrosis, or avascular necrosis.

Snapping hip syndrome

Snapping hip syndrome, which most commonly occurs in dancers or athletes, is characterized by a snapping sound or feeling in the hip.

This snapping may occur when you’re walking or getting up out of a chair, for example. The condition is usually painless, but can cause pain in some cases.

Snapping hip with pain is usually a sign of cartilage tear or fragments of material in the hip.

Osteonecrosis

Osteonecrosis, or avascular necrosis, occurs when blood doesn’t reach the bones, either temporarily or permanently. This can lead to the loss of the supporting bone.

In this condition, the cartilage is normal initially but will eventually collapse as it progresses. Eventually, bones may break or crumple. It’s not always clear what causes osteonecrosis.

Joint injury, heavy use of steroid medications or alcohol, and cancer treatments may put you at greater risk for this condition. But in many cases, the cause is never determined.

Contact your doctor if you have hip pain that lasts longer than a few days. They can come up with a plan to manage pain and treat your condition.

However, you should contact your doctor immediately if the hip is bleeding or you can see exposed bone or muscle, a popping noise occurs, or you can’t bear weight.

Also, seek immediate help if your hip joint appears deformed or is swollen, or if you have severe pain.

Prompt medical attention is necessary for hip pain accompanied by any of the following:

• swelling
• tenderness
• soreness
• warmth
• redness

These may be signs of serious conditions, including septic arthritis, which is a joint infection. If it’s left untreated, septic arthritis can lead to deformed joints and osteoarthritis.

If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.

For pain that could be related to a condition such as arthritis, your doctor will ask you a range of questions, including:

• Is the pain worse at a time of day?
• Does it affect your ability to walk?
• When did your symptoms first appear?

You may need to walk around to let your doctor observe the joint in motion. They’ll measure the motion in the normal and abnormal hip and compare the two.

To diagnose arthritis, your doctor will perform fluid and imaging tests. Fluid tests involve taking samples of blood, urine, and joint fluid for testing in a laboratory. Imaging tests may include:

• X-rays
• CT scans
• MRI scans
• ultrasounds

Imaging tests will provide your doctor with detailed views of your bones, cartilage, and other tissues.

The treatment of hip pain depends on the cause. For exercise-related pain, rest is usually enough to allow the hip to heal. This type of pain is typically gone within a few days.

If you have arthritis, your doctor will prescribe medications to relieve pain and stiffness.

Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who can offer further advice and a physical therapist who can show you how to do exercises to help keep the joint mobile.

For injuries, treatment typically involves bed rest and medications, such as naproxen (Aleve), to relieve swelling and pain.

Hip fractures, malformation of the hip, and some injuries may require surgical intervention to repair or replace the hip. In hip replacement surgery, a surgeon replaces the damaged hip joint with an artificial one.

Although hip replacement surgery will take some physical therapy to get used to the new joint, this is a common surgery that’s most often successful.

Alternative therapies

Some holistic therapies can provide relief from hip pain. Make sure you discuss treatment options with your doctor before undergoing any alternative treatment.

Possible holistic therapies include seeing a chiropractor for an adjustment or having acupuncture. This involves the temporary placement of very small needles into key body areas to promote healing.

After you know the cause of your hip pain and treat the pain correctly, you can successfully manage it.

For very minor injuries and exercise-related accidents, no treatment may be necessary and your hip may soon return to normal.

However, for more serious conditions, such as arthritis, fractures, and necrosis, the symptoms are likely to worsen until you receive treatment. Talk to your doctor so they can help you with a treatment plan.

How to relieve pain in the hip joint. Causes and treatment

Hip pain symptoms

Hip pain can radiate to adjacent areas – thighs, groin, buttocks and hip joint.

Sometimes the only symptom of hip problems is knee pain. Such pain is called reflected; it occurs quite often.

Pain in the hip may increase with physical exertion, such as after sports, long walks and runs.

With pain in the hip, it becomes more difficult for a person to move the leg in the hip joint, the range of motion decreases. In severe cases, lameness develops.

How does hip pain affect us?

The hip joints provide mobility to the body, so pain in this area can make daily activities difficult. With hip pain, even getting out of bed, climbing stairs, and walking, not to mention jogging, is a problem. In severe cases, a person cannot move the leg at the joint and transfer body weight to it. In such cases, you should consult a doctor.

Relieve Pain

Blood vessels and nerves are located in the hip area, in particular the sciatic nerve (at the back of the thigh) and the femoral nerve (at the front of the thigh)*

86% of people surveyed said that joint pain associated with Osteoarthritis most affects their lives** 9 0003

Relieve Pain

* Hip Anatomy http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/where-it-hurts/hip-pain/hip-anatomy. php)
** According to the Global Pain Index 2018 survey, 86% of pain sufferers say that OA-related joint pain affects their lives the most

Why does hip pain occur?

The design of the hip joint allows for smooth movement and the ability to perform repetitive movements, such as when running or jumping. But due to constant stress over the years, the muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons of the thigh can become inflamed, resulting in pain.

Determine the cause of the pain

Pain can be felt in various parts of the thigh. Localization of pain helps to understand its causes. Pain in the groin and inner thigh area can be a sign of hip problems. Hip pain outside the hip joint, in the upper thigh and buttocks, usually indicates a soft tissue problem.

More serious causes of hip pain

Serious causes of hip pain include osteoarthritis, fractures, dislocations due to trauma, and bursitis (inflammation of the joint capsule). In these cases, you should consult a doctor.

Treatment

If you have hip pain due to muscle or tendon injury or tendon inflammation (tendonitis), over-the-counter medications can help relieve pain and swelling. You can relieve pain and improve joint mobility with the help of therapeutic exercises. But if your hip still hurts badly or doesn’t feel better after seven days of pain medication, you should see your doctor. Be sure to see your doctor if you fall, the pain gets worse, you have a fever, or you feel unwell.

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*According to the Global Pain Index 2018 survey, 86% of pain sufferers said that joint pain associated with Osteoarthritis affects their lives the most

More details

sharp, aching, walking, after running and sitting

The hip joint is one of the largest in the human body. It connects the head of the femur to the acetabulum of the pelvic bone, helps in performing complex leg movements, and provides the function of upright walking. Many people complain that they feel pain in the thigh, which radiates to the joint, groin, buttocks, has an aching or dull character. These symptoms should not be ignored: if your leg hurts in the thigh, the best thing to do is to seek help from a specialist. In this area, important blood vessels and nerve endings are localized, which may be involved in the pathological process.

Pain in the hip joint

1. Classification
   1. Acute pain in the hip joint
   2. Chronic aching pain in the hip joint
   3. Local and radiating pain
2. Causes of pain in the hip joint
3. How to understand what exactly hurts the hip joint
4. How to get rid of hip pain
   1. Which doctor to go to when your hip hurts
   2. Diagnostics
   3. Treatment Methods
   4. Conservative therapy
   5. Surgery

Classification

Pain in the hip joint can have a different character – acute, local, aching chronic. Often there is a pain syndrome radiating to the groin or buttocks. Causes of pain – injuries and diseases, including coxarthrosis, aseptic necrosis, osteoarthritis, lesions of the ligamentous apparatus, pathologies of the lumbar spine, etc.

Acute pain in the hip joint

Acute pain in the hip joints is predominantly short-term, characteristic of damage or rapidly developing diseases. Often it becomes the reason for seeking medical help. If therapy is not started in a timely manner, the pain spreads further and loses its pronounced localization.

Chronic aching pain in the hip joint

Aching pain may accompany an acute pain syndrome or be an independent phenomenon. Often it is characterized by an increasing amplitude, disappearing for a while. As a rule, such pain increases with physical activity, for example, when playing sports, running, long walking.

Over time, it becomes more difficult to move the limb, the range of motion is limited. In especially advanced cases, lameness may develop. Unfortunately, many people prefer to endure chronic aching pain and try to self-medicate. Remember, the best thing you can do to regain your health and freedom of movement is to make an appointment with a specialist.

Local and radiating pain

If a person has pain in the hip joint, it is often accompanied by irradiation, including to the knee joint, inguinal region. A similar pain syndrome can noticeably increase if you lean on an injured limb. Often radiating pain develops with osteoarthritis.

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Causes of pain in the hip joint

Pain in the hip joint can be triggered by various factors and pathologies. We list the main ones:

• Bursitis (inflammation of the articular bag). May be chronic or acute. It is characterized by severe pain in the affected joint, which does not recede even in the supine position.
• Coxarthrosis. It is provoked by a violation of metabolic processes in cartilage, which provokes their death. With this pathology, the pain syndrome is felt not only in the region of the femoral joint, but also in the lower back.
• Arthritis. This is an inflammatory process that occurs due to a malfunction in the process of the immune system. It is characterized by swelling of the affected area, fever, a problem with motor function.
• Tendinitis is a disease of the tendons that causes pain on movement, as well as articular “clicking”, a change in gait.
• Osteochondropathy, including Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, characteristic of young patients. The pain syndrome increases gradually and provokes lameness.

Important!

The diseases listed above are far from the only causes of pain in the hip joint. Pain syndrome can provoke injuries, benign or malignant neoplasms. Infections should not be ruled out – aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, purulent or tuberculous arthritis.

How to understand that it is the hip joint that hurts

How to understand that the hip joints hurt? Most often, the pain syndrome localized in the thigh does not go away after a few days, you feel constant discomfort and even wake up from it at night. Many patients complain that they are forced to constantly change their position if they are lying or sitting.

Other signs that indicate the possibility of this problem:

• Pain in the groin. It has a pulsating character.
• Dull or throbbing pain in the lower back.
• Pain in the thigh, which radiates to the groin, knee. Often accompanied by weakness or itching in the affected limb.
• Limited mobility of the upper limb. As a rule, it indicates that rheumatoid arthritis is developing.
• Lameness caused by pain. If you have developed such a condition, immediately seek medical help, because trying to reduce pain, you instinctively hold the diseased joint above the other, resulting in a habit that negatively affects the entire musculoskeletal system.

Important!

An important symptom that may indicate the pathology of the hip joint is a characteristic crunch that occurs during movement. If it is accompanied by an increasing pain syndrome, this indicates the presence of pathological changes.

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How to get rid of pain in the hip joint

No matter what the cause of pain in the hip joint, self-medicate and hope that the problem will disappear on its own. It is necessary to seek help from a qualified traumatologist who will determine the cause of the pain and prescribe conservative or surgical treatment.

Which doctor to go to when the hip hurts

An orthopedic traumatologist specializes in the treatment of pathologies associated with the hip. The Garvis Clinic employs experienced professionals who have extensive positive experience in treating patients suffering from hip pain of various etiologies. They offer only modern diagnostic and treatment methods that will restore your freedom of movement quickly and with minimal trauma.

Diagnostics

What should be done if the hip joint hurts? First of all, undergo a thorough diagnosis and determine the cause of the disease. Most often, the specialist prescribes the following examinations:

• radiography of the hip joint;
• CT/MRI of the joint and femur;
• X-ray of the spine;
• laboratory tests.

Methods of treatment

Methods that help relieve pain can be divided into conservative and surgical. They are united by the fact that they are aimed not only at treating pain, but also at eliminating the main cause of the pathology. Also, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises have proven themselves well.

Conservative therapy

Conservative therapy includes pain relief, which is selected for each patient individually. First of all, we are talking about a therapeutic blockade that relieves pain and promotes muscle relaxation, normalization of blood flow.

Also effective:

• Physiotherapy aimed at restoring muscles, normalizing blood circulation and completely eliminating pain.
• Therapeutic exercise, which strengthens the muscular-ligamentous structures, prevents the occurrence of discomfort in the limb in the future.
• Massage and manual therapy – have a beneficial effect on the general condition of tissues.

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Surgery

One of the most effective surgical methods that allows you to cope with various pathologies of the hip is arthroscopy of the hip joint. This is a low-traumatic surgical intervention that allows you to accurately determine the main focus of the pathology and get rid of such diseases and injuries:

• synovitis;
• osteoarthritis;
• arthritis;
• neurosis of the femoral head;
• snap joint;
• injuries and complications after previous surgeries.