Hip

Hip pain is a symptom due to the problem within the joint or a referred pain from another site. The pain may be felt on the inside, outside of the hip or groin. Hip pain on upper thigh or outer buttock is usually due to issues with muscles, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues that surround the hip joint. Conditions like Low back pain and sciatica may result in referred pain in the hip

These are some of the conditions that commonly cause hip pain:

• Arthritis- inflammatory and non-inflammatory
• Infectious arthritis
• Avascular necrosis(AVN)- is the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply. 
• Sciatica
• Bursitis
• Iliotibial band syndrome(IT band )
• Fracture
• Cancer

The following signs are frequent early symptoms of a hip problem

• Hip Pain or Groin Pain
• Referred pain to the thigh and knee.
• Reduced range of motion.
• Stiffness.
• Pain when trying to put weight on the affected leg
• Limping

An Orthopaedic Doctor will help diagnose treat the hip joint.

Patients with intense pain or deformity of the hip joint due to osteoarthritis may need a replacement. Patients with avascular necrosis or a fracture need a total hip replacement.

Osteoarthritis occurs when there is a breakdown of articular cartilage leading to friction and inflammation between the two bones. This inflammation leads to pain, swelling, and deformity.

The causes of osteoarthritis of the hip are unknown. Factors that affect include previous history of hip injury, advancing age, family history and being overweight.

It is a procedure in which a damaged hip joint is replaced with a prosthesis(artificial hip). The damaged ball of the socket is replaced with a metal ball. The hip socket is resurfaced using a metal shell and a plastic liner.

Walking is a low-impact activity that can keep the hip and knee joint range of motion intact and relieve arthritic pain, stiffness, and swelling.

1. If the pain is not sudden or severe: Rest and avoid weight bearing for sometime. Avoid bending, sitting or lying on that side.
2. Medications: over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and paracetamol
3. Apply cold packs to the hip (7-10 minutes several times a day) to reduce swelling and pain.
4. Low impact exercises like walking or swimming, stretching 
5. Resistance training can help with chronic hip pain from arthritis
6. Weight loss- reduction of weight results in less pressure on the hip.

The signs of sciatica pain include: Pain originating in the lower back that can be felt on the hip and buttock. The pain usually affects only one leg and may get worse when you sit, cough, or sneeze. The leg may also feel numb, weak, or tingly at times.

Imaging tests:

Common imaging tests used to diagnose hip disorders include:

• X-ray
• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• Bone scan
• MRI scan
• Arthrogram

Bone biopsy: to check for abnormalities in the bone and surrounding tissues. 

Medications can treat inflammation caused by arthritis, relieve pain associated with hip disorders, also help in treating irritable hip syndrome and soft tissue pain.

Surgery can correct fractures and severe arthritis. In people with severe arthritis or an injury, hip replacement surgery (hip arthroplasty) may be an option.

Physiotherapy to alleviate the referred pain in the hip due to sciatica or low back pain.

• Medanta the Medicity.
• Fortis memorial research institute Gurgaon
• Apollo Hospitals Chennai
• Sakra Hospital Bengaluru
• Aster medicity Kochi 
• Seven Hills Mumbai
• Manipal Hospitals Bengaluru

A few hours post hip replacement surgery patients can stand and walk a few steps. By three to six weeks most patients can go back to their activities of daily living including walking a short distance. Once walking seems comfortable resuming running with slow jogs can be done