Our hips can handle a heavy load of wear and tear. Yet despite their durability, overuse and time can cause cartilage and tendons to wear down, resulting in pain and mobility problems. The good news is most general hip pain can improve with self-care and physical therapy.
鈥淎ll treatment programs are different depending on the diagnosis,鈥 says Travis Maak, MD, associate professor and director of the at 麻豆学生精品版. 鈥淏ut the majority of patients can recover and resume their active lives with non-surgical treatments.鈥
What鈥檚 Causing My Hip Pain?
Hip pain can be caused by a traumatic injury, but it鈥檚 most commonly the result of overuse, repetitive movements, or a muscle imbalance. Some inflammatory ailments that can develop over time include:
- This occurs when bursae鈥攆luid-filled sacs that cushion the tendons, bones, and muscles near the joint鈥攂ecome inflamed. Symptoms include sharp pain that radiates into your thigh, an ache that spreads throughout your hip, and worsening pain at night.
- Labral Tear: This happens when the labrum鈥攁 ring of cartilage that lines the rim of the hip socket鈥攊s damaged due to too much stress, overuse, or a traumatic injury. Symptoms include sharp pain in the front of the hip, clicking or popping, stiffness, and difficulty moving the hip.
- This occurs when the ball of the hip joint pinches up against the cup of the hip. This can cause cartilage damage and lead to arthritis. Symptoms include pain or stiffness in the groin and worsening pain from bending over or sitting.
- Commonly known as 鈥渨ear-and-tear arthritis,鈥 osteoarthrosis affects many people as they age, especially among active people. Symptoms include pain that flares up with activity, pain in the groin area, stiffness and swelling, and limited range of motion.
Why Is My Hip Popping?
It can be unnerving to hear a snap or pop in the hip while taking your daily walk. Yet before you book a visit to urgent care, be aware that this is a common condition that often affects young, active people (late teens to mid 40s), especially among dancers and athletes who play sports that involve a great deal of bending and squatting such as baseball, hockey, football, and kickboxing.
To alleviate the popping, Maak recommends and cross-training to help build key muscles groups in your lower body.
鈥淪trength training is so important if you want to continue to play the sports that you love,鈥 Maak says. 鈥淚f you use your body the same way all the time, you can cause an imbalance in your muscles, resulting in hip pain and other ailments.鈥
Note: If you鈥檙e experiencing hip popping after an injury or traumatic event鈥攐r if it is accompanied by pain in the groin鈥攂ook an exam with your doctor right away.
When Should I See a Doctor?
Typically, hip pain can be treated at home with rest, over-the-counter medications, and strength training. If you鈥檙e experiencing ongoing pain, book an exam with your doctor. Treatment plans commonly include:
- Rest and modified daily activities
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Prescription medications and injections
- Strength-training physical therapy exercises
If you鈥檙e not seeing any results after six to eight weeks, talk to your doctor about a diagnostic exam, which may include imaging tests and a consultation with a specialist about surgical options.
How Can I Prevent Hip Pain?
Aches and pains are inevitable as we age. But we can prevent chronic ailments and sports injuries by staying in shape and, yes, eating our fruits and veggies.
鈥淭he best thing we can do to avoid hip pain is to maintain a healthy lifestyle,鈥 Maak says. 鈥淭he body is designed to move, so it鈥檚 important to stay active and not become significantly overweight. If you鈥檙e unable to walk or run, try low weight-bearing exercises like cycling or swimming. Where there鈥檚 a will, there鈥檚 a way."
Orthopedic Services Near You
Receive the same great care from the same specialists at both locations.
University Orthopaedic Center
Located in Salt Lake City, Research Park
South Jordan Health Center Orthopedics
Located in South Jordan, Daybreak