What are the symptoms of hip pain?
Hip pain and discomfort can take on many forms. For some, it involves a constant aching that seems to encompass the whole pelvis. For others, it is a pin point sharp pain that is produced by only certain movements. The broad ranges of symptoms stem from the various structures around the hip. These structures may be the hip labrum, hip bursa, or musculature of the hip. There is also the relationship of the muscles and joints of the pelvis such as the sacroiliac joint. The following is a list of several hip diagnoses:
Where is pain felt with a hip problem?
As mentioned above, hip pain can vary based on the what is involved. Just as the type of pain can vary, so can the location. We often find that individuals with a torn labrum tend to have pain located in the front of the hip. They may also complain of intermittent popping and clicking. With bursitis, the pain may be localized towards the outer region of the hip. Hip arthritis is a common problem that tends to affect the older populations. When arthritis has progressed significantly, the pain is broad and can even refer to the low back. Issues with a tightened hip capsule or shortening of the gluteal muscles can create pain in the buttock region. Irritation of the discs of the low back and the sciatic nerve can mimic many other hip complaints.
"C-Sign"
One of the more common descriptors of a true hip problem is the C-Sign of overlapping the front/side/back of the hip with the hand.
What is Hip Impingement?
Femoracetabular impingement (FAI) refers to a condition where the hip joint is obstructed or hindered which causes pain. Check out the video below for helpful information regarding hip impingement.
How do you treat hip pain?
Like every other disorder of the musculoskeletal system, a comprehensive evaluation is done that includes looking at the areas above and below the site of pain. Hip pain often responds well to soft tissue manipulation and PNF stretching. Mobilization to the joint capsule is also beneficial to allow proper movement. A focused functional rehab program consisting proper glute strength and stability is crucial. Like the low back, counter balancing the positions of sitting throughout the day is necessary to preventing recurring hip pain. If you have had hip pain in the past, or have struggled with pain in other areas of the body such as the low back, call us today for a consultation to discuss how we can help!