Hip

Are try to understand what is causing your Hip Disorders.

Troubled by hip disorder?
Hip disorders affect the hip joint. The hip joint is a ball and socket that allows the thigh to move in different directions. It also allows the hips to support the weight of the body. Inside the hip joint is cartilage, the tough but flexible substance that lines the ends of joints. The hip joint resides inside a capsule containing lubricating fluid, which helps the hip move smoothly. Ligaments keep the ball of the joint from slipping out of the socket. Hip disorders can affect any of these parts, including ligaments and cartilage.
Who are symptoms of hip disorder?
The hip is a complicated joint made of bone, cartilage, ligaments, muscle, and a lubricating fluid. As a result, the symptoms of a hip disorder will differ depending on the cause of the disorder and the part of the hip joint that’s causing problems. Common symptoms of a hip disorder include pain in the hip, limping, reduced movement in the hip joint, referred pain, muscle stiffness, and pain in the leg when you apply weight on that leg. People with arthritis may experience chronic pain (especially when walking). If you fall or have an accident involving your leg and you develop swelling or pain in your hip, seek medical attention immediately. These are signs that a fracture may be present. An untreated fracture can cause serious complications.

 

What Causes Hip Disorders?

Hip disorders are often due to developmental conditions, injuries, chronic conditions, or infections. A few that occur commonly are mentioned here. First, Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of cartilage in the joint causes osteoarthritis. This makes the cartilage split and become brittle. In some cases, pieces of the cartilage break off in the hip joint. Once the cartilage wears down enough, it fails to cushion the hip bones, causing pain and inflammation. Second, Developmental Dysplasia: This condition occurs when a newborn baby has a dislocated hip or a hip that easily dislocates. A shallow hip socket that allows the ball to easily slip in and out is the cause of developmental dysplasia. Third, Perthes Disease: This disease affects children between the ages of 3 and 11. Perthes disease is the result of reduced blood supply to bone cells. This causes some of the bone cells in the femur to die and the bone to lose strength. Fourth, Irritable Hip Syndrome: Irritable hip syndrome can be common in children after an upper respiratory infection. It causes hip pain that results in limping. In most cases it resolves by itself. Fifth, Soft Tissue Pain and Referred Pain
Pain in the hip may be due to an injury or defect affecting the soft tissues outside of the hip. This is known as referred pain. Sixth, Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: A slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a separation of the ball of the hip joint from the thigh bone (femur) at the upper growing end (growth plate) of the bone. This is only seen in growing children. Surgically stabilizing the joint with pins is a common effective treatment.

If you have hip pain, your doctor will perform a physical examination and run imaging tests to try to diagnose the cause. A simple visual examination of the hip may reveal a deformity or injury. Your doctor will often manipulate your leg in different directions, looking for resistance, a popping sensation, or pain. These can indicate the source of the hip problem. However, more tests may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis. Imaging tests such as X-ray, ultrasound, bone scan and MRI allow the doctor to view the hip in detail. They’ll be able to see any fractures, deformities, or swelling using these imaging tests. Your doctor may choose to do a bone biopsy to check for abnormalities in the bone and surrounding tissues. A few treatments for hip pain are as follows: 

Medication

Discomfort often may be managed with over-the-counter pain medications. Depending up on the reason for the hip pain, Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen all may be used. Most often, the medications are directed at treatment of the underlying illness or injury causing the pain. Depending upon the situation, short courses of narcotic or nonnarcotic pain medications with or without muscle relaxants may be used until the underlying condition is resolved.

Surgery

Surgery can often correct fractures and severe arthritis. A treatment for slipped capital femoral epiphysis is to screw the femoral head back into place, preventing it from slipping out again. In extreme cases, especially in people with severe arthritis or an injury, hip replacement surgery (hip arthroplasty) may be a possibility. At Sportsmed, we specialize in hip arthroscopy, a surgical procedure that allows doctors to view the hip joint without making a large incision (cut) through the skin and other soft tissues.

Lifestyle Changes

Joints need motion to stay healthy. Long periods of inactivity cause the arthritic joint to stiffen and the adjoining tissue to atrophy (waste away). A moderate exercise program that includes low-impact aerobics and power and strength training has benefits for patients with osteoarthritis, even if exercise does not slow down the disease progression. In addition to exercise, treatment of muscles and joints by a trained therapist may be helpful.