Hip pain is the general term for pain felt 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. Show Certain injuries or conditions can cause hip pain. Inflamed tendonsThe 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. ArthritisThe 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 is much more common than rheumatoid arthritis. Trochanteric bursitisAnother 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 fracturesHip 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 syndromeSnapping 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. OsteonecrosisOsteonecrosis, 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:
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. For pain that could be related to a condition such as arthritis, your doctor will ask you a range of questions, including:
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:
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 therapiesSome 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. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. — By Jo Lewin R.N. on March 8, 2018
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Lateral hip pain is the broad term used to describe pain felt on the outer side of the hip. Pain can begin suddenly or develop gradually over time. Many people experience hip pain at night. Hip pain is more common in women than men and is most prevalent in women aged 40–60 years. It is mainly caused by injury or overuse, although there are some other causes. In this article, we take a look at these causes, along with available treatment options and tips for preventing hip pain at night. Hip pain at night can be caused by a variety of different conditions affecting the hip joint, connected muscles, or surrounding tissue. Greater trochanteric pain syndromeShare on PinterestHip pain may be caused by conditions affecting the joint, muscles, or surrounding tissue. The muscles around the buttock are called the gluteal muscles. Poor strength in the gluteal muscles can cause the front of the hip to overcompensate to stabilize and support the rest of the joint. This causes the tendons attaching the gluteal muscles to the hip and pelvis to become squeezed, leading to pain at the hip known as greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). GTPS specifically involves the tendons and fluid-filled sacs surrounding the greater trochanter, which is the prominent bony part of a hip. An injury to either the tendons or sacs can cause pain and tenderness to the hip, particularly at night. BursitisBursae are small fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions, helping to reduce friction at the hip joint. Bursitis occurs when the bursae become inflamed. Inflammation of the bursae causes pain from the hip that spreads down the side of the thigh. This sharp, intense pain may worsen at night. TendinopathyTendinopathy refers to any disease of the tendons. Tendons in the hip attach the gluteal muscles to the hip and pelvis. Together, they work to stabilize the pelvis and support hip mobility during day-to-day tasks, such as walking and going up the stairs. Tendons in the hip may become inflamed or break down due to compression or overloading without having time to recover. This can cause hip pain at night. Frequently sitting with legs crossed, or standing with all the weight on one hip can also cause tendinopathy and hip pain. OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis of the hip joint is another common cause of hip pain at night. Osteoarthritis is a result of age-related “wear and tear” of the tissue known as cartilage that surrounds the ends of bones. As the cartilage at the hip wears away, the bones at the hip rub against each other, which leads to inflammation, swelling, and pain. Osteoarthritis can present as stiffness and soreness of the hip, which can make everyday tasks difficult and painful over time. Hip pain can move around to the buttocks or down the leg, affecting mobility, and can be painful at night. Exercise-related causesStrenuous exercise — such as soccer, running, or dancing — has been linked to increased risk of hip pain. This could be due to a range of conditions, including bursitis, tendinopathy, or injury to the iliotibial band, a band of tissue connecting the pelvis and the shin bone. A recent change to the frequency of exercise may also be a trigger for injury or pain in the hip. Other causesSeveral other factors could lead to hip pain occurring at night:
A person might be able to treat hip pain at night by making changes to exercise and sleep routines, alongside other lifestyle changes. If these do not work, several pain management options are available. Exercise To improve hip pain at night, people should do the following:
A physio can recommend specific exercises to increase hip strength and flexibility. Sleep Changing a regular sleeping position can help improve hip pain. People may want to try the following:
People may also wish to consider a new mattress or foam topper mattress. This can improve support and distribute weight more evenly to minimize pressure on hips. Lifestyle changes Some simple lifestyle changes may help reduce hip pain at night:
Pain management People can relieve and control hip pain in several different ways:
During pregnancy, it is quite common for individuals to experience changes in their body and hormone levels. One potential change is a pain in the hip or pelvis as muscles and ligaments relax and stretch before giving birth. When pregnant, the best sleeping position is on the side. Experts recommend putting a pillow between the legs, which can help support the hips and lower back and prevent rolling over. Other less common causes of hip pain during pregnancy are:
Anyone who is concerned about hip pain during pregnancy should tell a doctor or midwife, or make an appointment to see a physio. Share on PinterestWearing appropriate footwear during exercise may help. Here are some steps that people can take to reduce the risk of experiencing hip pain at night:
People should seek medical attention if hip pain at night is persistent, gets worse, or spreads to knees, pelvis, or lower back. If someone is taking NSAIDs long-term, but the drugs no longer help ease the hip pain, the person should make an appointment to talk with a doctor about alternative medication options. For a thorough diagnosis of hip pain, it is likely that the doctor will order an imaging test, such as an X-ray, to look more closely at the hip. In some instances, hip pain is unpreventable and a natural part of aging. Moderate exercise with appropriate footwear and maintaining a healthy weight helps to protect bones and joints. Doing both of these things will hopefully prevent hip pain from getting worse. Anyone who is experiencing hip pain at night should see if they can improve their sleeping position and mattress. Adding a foam topper, which can be purchased online, may make a difference. If the pain does not improve, the person should make an appointment to see their doctor. Last medically reviewed on March 8, 2018
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