Hip pain is, unfortunately, a common complaint among women of all ages. The hip is the ball and socket joint between the thigh bone and the pelvis, and women often report pain or stiffness in the groin or on the outside of the hip. This pain when you walk, climb stairs, run, or even at rest can be debilitating and greatly impact your daily life.
Our instinct when we feel pain is to reduce movement and limit our activity. But depending on the cause of our hip pain, this could actually worsen our hip health. We discuss the top five causes of hip pain in women below. At ORTHOKnox, your doctor can identify what is causing your hip pain and develop a treatment plan, which could involve conservative treatments like physical therapy or surgery such as a hip replacement, to decrease your pain and improve your hip health.
What is causing my hip pain?
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Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the general wear and tear of joints as they age and involves mild inflammation within the joint. This inflammation damages the cartilage that covers the ball and socket and results in joint pain and stiffness.
Rheumatoid arthritis has similar symptoms but is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints.
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Bursitis
Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that surround the joints, including the hip. They protect and cushion the hip but can become inflamed and swell due to an infection, overuse, or inflammatory disease, which can cause pain and stiffness in the hip.
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Tendinitis
Tendons are fibrous bands that join muscles to bones. Like bursae, tendons can become inflamed due to overuse or strain and cause hip swelling and pain. Runners commonly have tendinitis in the iliotibial band, which is the span of tissue that runs from the outer rim of the pelvis to the outside if the knee.
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Fracture
Hip fractures from falling are common in women with osteoporosis. Pain in a fractured hip usually increases when straightening the leg.
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Hernia
Hernias in the groin area can cause frontal hip pain. These are more prevalent in pregnant women due to the added pressure of baby weight on the abdomenal wall.
Can I prevent hip pain?
Staying active, icing your hip, and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce hip pain. Even with these steps, it is best to see your doctor to get a diagnosis if you feel pain in your hip. Getting personalized treatment early ensures that you are on the right track to improving your hip health.
How do I get treatment for my hip pain?
For a one-stop shop, you can go to the ORTHOKnox orthopedic clinics in Knoxville, Tennessee, or Athens, Tennessee for a diagnosis of your hip pain. The orthopedic specialists are available to diagnose your hip pain, and the on-site physical therapists can design and help you implement a plan to reduce hip pain.
With its on-site physical therapists, board-certified surgeon, and Orthopedic Urgent Care that is available without an appointment, ORTHOKnox has got you covered. For more information about how ORTHOKnox can treat your hip pain, call (865) 251-3030, or fill out our easy-to-use online appointment request form. We look forward to hearing from you!
