Causes of pain in the hip joint and methods of treatment

The bone-articular structure of a person is characterized by a complex structure and includes a variety of elements. The hip joint is one of the largest and most loaded joints within the human musculoskeletal system. It is located at the junction of the femur and pelvis. The joint has a peculiar structure that ensures free mobility of the limb in different directions. It is with this joint that a person's ability to walk upright is associated. With the appearance of painful discomfort in the hip joint, there is a serious decrease in its functionality with problems of movement or sitting. In some cases, numbness of the limb is possible.

The main causes of pain

In order to start the treatment of pathologies of the hip joint in a timely manner, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination as soon as possible in order to diagnose diseases and the causes of their manifestation. At the same time, the diagnosis can be difficult, since pain is provoked by a wide variety of problems: injuries, skeletal diseases, background pathologies of internal organs. The intensity and nature of the pain also varies. They can be painful and sharp, burning.

To the greatest extent, complaints of pain in the hip joint can be heard in patients over 50 years of age. Also, such violations are usually found in women. This refers to pathologies of the joint itself or of the hip.

Pain can be caused by factors that affect the state of the joint:

1. Problems of traumatic origin: fractures that affect the femoral neck, direct bruising of the joint region, severe hip dislocations. Myositis ossificans, which has arisen and progresses due to injuries inflicted on the joint, can cause discomfort and pain. Specialists also note frequent fractures of the pelvic bones, the development of epiphysiolysis of the femoral head.
2. Damage to the connective tissue in the hip joint, which is caused by the development of Reiter's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
3. Pathological disorders of the joint, occurring against the background of degenerative processes in the tissue area. For example, we are talking about coxarthrosis.
4. Osteochondropatic manifestations caused by the progression of osteochondritis dissecans, Legg-Calve-Perthes pathology.
5. Deviations in the processes of skeletal development. For example, this applies to epiphyseal varus deformity of the foot, which is typical of adolescent patients.
6. Inflammatory changes in the soft joint tissues. These pathologies include bursitis, transient synovitis, coxitis of the articular variety due to the action of the tubercle bacillus.

Traumatic causes of pain syndrome

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

• Congenital damage to the hip in the form of a dislocation, which occurs due to improper conduct of the birth process or is formed at the prenatal stage of the child's development. Such a violation can be quickly diagnosed already in newborns. They will have irregularities in the buttock creases and may show signs of shortening of one leg. In some cases, a nerve is pinched. Experts recommend paying close attention to the signs of such deviations, since the disease itself is considered dangerous. It often leads to preservation of the consequences of the trauma for the rest of life.
• Dislocation of the hip of a traumatic nature - there are sharp pains, as a result of which the ability to perform movements is lost. The patient cannot assume an upright position or sit down. Edema and hematoma are formed in the area of the damaged joint. If there are signs of dislocation of the hip, any physical load is contraindicated. Sports during this period lead to a deterioration in the patient's condition, provoke the development of negative changes and pathological disorders in the hip joint. With such injuries, treatment should be started immediately.
• Fracture of the neck of the femur, which is usually characteristic of women over 60 years of age. This condition is caused by a fall or blow to the hip joint area. When a fracture occurs, the patient feels an acute pain syndrome. Such pain will intensify during movement. Gradually the pain subsides to the inner side of the thigh. At the site of the injury, swelling and bruising appear. With a fracture, a shortening of the limbs is observed, a person's gait is characterized by a limp, clicking sounds are heard in the joint area. The damage often causes a pinched nerve, which causes numbness in the thigh.
• Fracture of the pertrochanteric type of the femur - accompanied by severe or moderate pain. When the patient is in motion, the pain begins to intensify. One possible consequence is a pinched nerve, causing back pain and numbness in the extremities.
• Having a bruise in the hip joint. The pain syndrome is moderate, but active movement can provoke its increase. In this case, the pain decreases and disappears when the person is at rest. This factor is considered the most common. Bruises are diagnosed in patients who fall frequently, especially the elderly. The patient complains of lameness, but this symptom disappears relatively quickly.

Injuries to the hip joint caused by trauma are considered by specialists as the main cause of pain. With severe fractures and dislocations, in many cases, surgical intervention is prescribed. An indication for immediate admission to the hospital is a pinched nerve and numbness of the limb.

The influence of systemic pathologies in the appearance of pain

A frequent cause of pain in the hip joint when walking or in another body position is the development of systemic connective tissue lesions. For such pathologies, a constant process of therapy is required, since they belong to the group of practically incurable. It is important to guarantee comprehensive treatment with an impact on the causes of the appearance and progression of pain and other symptoms.

Among the systemic pathologies that can lead to pain in the hip joint, include:

1. Ankylosing spondylitis, which causes dull pain in the joint. Patients affected by this disease notice an increase in negative symptoms during the night. Usually, the sensations are localized in the area of the sacrum or pelvis. The pain syndrome can affect the knee joint, thigh, and groin area. Frequent shots are possible. In this state, walking and other movements are difficult, the patient has stiffness. The pain in the thigh area is severe, and the joint is affected by the inflammatory process.
2. Reiter's syndrome - accompanied by damage to the articular part, as well as the organs of the genitourinary system. There is a parallel inflammatory process in the conjunctiva. This is an autoimmune disease that is caused by the action of an intestinal infection. The development of the pathological process can begin several weeks and even months after the penetration of pathogens into the body. Patients complain of sharp pain in the hip. The 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 sides. This pathology is usually associated with the symmetrical nature of joint damage.
3. Rheumatoid-type arthritis, in which connective tissue damage is seen. The process of developing the disease does not provoke the formation and release of purulent masses. Usually, pathology becomes a harbinger, indicating 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 during movement, the pain shoots up. An inflammatory process takes place 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 the pain syndrome in the lateral lying position. Pathology in most cases develops symmetrically. Destruction of the hip joint causes nerve impingement and numbness of the extremities. A quick start to the therapeutic process is required.

Pathologies of a systemic nature often bring a lot of inconvenience to patients. There are pains that vary in intensity and character. They can be sharp, sharp, pulling. It is very difficult to get rid of such discomfort 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 the symptoms can make a person's condition worse.

Pain caused by degenerative disorders

Often, patients note the presence of sharp, burning or pulling pains in the joints, but they did not receive injuries and are not diagnosed with autoimmune diseases. In this case, degenerative changes caused by such diseases can become the cause:

• Epiphyseal varus deformity, which is more common among adolescents. The pains are dull and drawing, can occur in the inner zone of the knee joint. Increased sensations occur when running or during other sporting activities. Shots are periodically observed, clicks are heard in the joint.
• Coxarthrosis, which is considered a fairly common pathology of the hip joint. A rape can be detected in patients regardless of their gender. The disease requires long and complex therapy. It causes an active progression of joint disorders of a degenerative and destructive nature. The main symptomatology is reduced to the sensation that the joint hurts after physical effort. When at rest, these sensations disappear, there are no restrictions in movements. Subsequently, the pain radiates to the groin and thigh area. With daily stress this symptomatology increases, although at rest it disappears. With a long walk, lameness begins to appear, clicks are heard in the joint. At the same time, there is a malfunction in the work of the muscle-tendon structures, the tone falls. 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 leads to immobility of the patient. In the last stage, treatment focuses on inhibiting destructive changes in the joint.

The development of degenerative pathologies causes constant lameness, which leads to disruption of labor functions and a decrease in performance. Lack of physical activity worsens the patient's condition. Over time, difficulties arise even with the usual getting out of bed.

Influence of inflammation and infections on the appearance of 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 joint bag.

Pathological processes are also caused by such diseases of an infectious nature:

1. Purulent arthritis. The disease is accompanied by an increase in general temperature and reddening of the skin in the joint area. There is an appearance of extensive edema with sharp or stabbing pain. It is difficult, and sometimes it is simply impossible to carry out uploads. Over time, the sensations take the form of gunshots. 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 interruptions in blood circulation in the area of the joint. Necrosis leads to the death of tissue cells. The pathological process manifests itself in a sharply emerging pain syndrome that radiates to the groin area, as well as a burning sensation in damaged areas. The intensity of the pain can be so severe that a person has difficulty holding the limb. This leads to problems getting out of bed. An injection with a pain reliever is used to numb the joint. The symptoms disappear after a while, but further progression of the disease leads to atrophy of the muscles and tendons. The person begins to limp, his gait changes.
3. Tuberculous arthritis. Pathology is a different manifestation in young children with weakened immune systems. The progression is very slow. The child has increased fatigue, he is inactive in games. Muscle atrophy is accompanied by clicking in the joint and shortening of the limb. After a while, pains appear in the joint, which are pulling or burning in nature. The joint is covered by suppuration with increased symptoms.
4. Bursitis is an inflammatory lesion that covers the articular bag of the joint. The main symptom is pain, which extends throughout the limb. Sharp pains are aggravated during movement. At rest, the member hurts, burns.

Due to the development of infectious processes, various pains occur in the hip joint. It can be a burning, pulling or dull ache. The intensity of the sensations can be high, and therefore a person experiences difficulty with night rest. This condition requires immediate treatment.

Diagnosis of pathologies

Complex diagnoses, which should include:

• ultrasound examination of the condition of the hip joint;
• x-ray examination in two projections;
• laboratory study of blood parameters based on general and biochemical analyzes, which helps to identify rheumatoid factors, increase in leukocyte count, change in erythrocyte sedimentation rate;
• general examination of the patient with fixation of complaints and palpation of the damaged area;
• MRI diagnosis.

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

treatment characteristics

If unusual or intermittent pain occurs, the symptom should not be ignored. In this condition, you should see a doctor and start treatment. The therapeutic process is determined by the cause that causes the pain.

Presence of congenital dislocation

With such a pathology, a special orthopedic device is put on the area of the baby's joint. They can be stirrups or spacers. In some cases, the use of a Frejka pillow is recommended. Thanks to these designs, the baby's legs are in a physiologically correct position. The child uses these funds for 6 months, sometimes more.

When conventional therapies fail, surgery may be indicated. Operatively, the femoral head is reduced and some associated defects are removed. After removing orthopedic devices, light massage procedures are prescribed to strengthen muscle structures.

Dislocation of a traumatic nature.

Such damage requires the use of drugs to remove muscle tone and replenishment. Subsequently, the patient must be at rest to be able to stabilize the structures. If there are complaints of numbness, this will indicate a pinched nerve. In this case, you will need to consult a neurologist.

Hip fracture

The treatment of this injury is carried out by a traumatologist with surgical manipulations. Conservative methods of therapy are possible, but often do not bring the desired effect. In the absence of the possibility of an operation, a plaster-like bandage is applied to the patient from the lumbar sector to the heel.

It is important to remember that older patients experience the most serious effects. Fractures in them usually do not grow together, and the recovery period itself lasts several months.

In addition, damage leads to many consequences. Patients show lack of functionality of the respiratory organs, disturbance of the heart and vascular system, due to the lack of conditions for an active lifestyle and normal movement. Patients experience trouble sitting, resulting in a burning sensation in the soft tissue area as a result of the fracture.

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

The development of Bechterew's syndrome

Treatment of this pathology requires an integrated approach, which allows to reduce the intensity of the manifestation of symptoms, which is caused by inflammatory disorders. In the course of therapy, drugs are taken: anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs of a hormonal type, immunosuppressants. In addition, physiotherapy is performed.

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

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, the joint replacement procedure is performed.

reiter's disease

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

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

rheumatoid arthritis

Due to the progression of arthritis, pain can occur not only when the joint is in motion, but also at rest. It is impossible to completely eliminate such pain. The therapeutic effect is focused on improving the quality of life of patients. For this purpose, prescribe drugs:

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

Surgical intervention is prescribed only when the disease passes to the last stages. In this condition, the patient experiences serious problems in walking and sitting. Surgical manipulations are carried out by the method of fixation or arthroplasty of the joints. In the recovery process, stretching exercises, external ointments are prescribed.

coxarthrosis

Therapy of this pathology is focused on eliminating the causes of its manifestation. In the early stages, the disease can be cured by conservative therapy with the appointment of:

• NSAIDs;
• chondroprotectors;
• funds that restore blood flow;
• analgesics;
• topical ointments with a warming effect.

The treatment complex also includes low-intensity exercise therapy. To anesthetize the joint, if necessary, injections are used.

In the late stages of the progression of the pathology, conservative methods of treatment are ineffective. In this state, the deterioration of well-being occurs with minimal stress. To get out of bed, anesthesia with injections is required. Treatment is performed surgically by arthroplasty of the joint. Elderly patients are not prescribed such a procedure, but are limited to auxiliary manipulations.

After the operation, the rehabilitation process begins. Non-intense stretching, light training with low loads are carried out.

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 carried out by introducing an analgesic into the joint area. It can involve several types of drugs at the same time. An antibacterial agent is used in combination with an antibiotic. The pustules are also removed. To ensure fixation of the limb, a cast is applied or a splint is used.
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. Massage and anesthetic ointments will help to get rid of aching pains. In parallel, physiotherapy and exercise therapy are prescribed. In severe cases of the disease, minimally invasive operations or arthroplasties are performed.
3. Bursitis requires quick pain relief from the joint. At the same time, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which are administered intramuscularly. Steroid medications help eliminate severe symptoms of discomfort and pain. The affected joint should be at rest.
4. In tuberculous arthritis, conservative treatment methods are used. The baby must be immobile and therefore a tight bandage is used. The appearance of an abscess in the soft tissue area will require its removal.

Use of traditional medicine recipes.

These funds can be used as an addition to traditional treatment. You should always check with your doctor first. The most popular recipes include:

• Compresses based on blue or white clay. They help to eliminate 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. It is necessary to take a cabbage leaf and cover it with a layer of honey. Then such a compress is applied to the area of \u200b\u200bthe manifestation of burning or sharp pain. From above it must be covered with a film, 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 pat the affected area.
• Ointment with visceral fat and root white foot. Pour 250 g of crushed root into previously melted fat and simmer for 7 minutes. Let the product cool down, then apply it to the joint surface and leave it overnight. A woolen cloth is applied to the treated area. Then it will be possible to eliminate swelling and other symptoms.
• A 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 must 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. before meals for 1-3 months.