Hip & Pelvis
What is Hip & Pelvis
Hip dysplasia is an abnormality in the hip joint. In people with this condition, the femur (thigh bone) does not fit together with the pelvis as it should.
Hip dysplasia can damage the cartilage, the tissue that cushions these bones in the joint.
Hip dysplasia is an abnormality in the hip joint. In people with this condition, the femur (thigh bone) does not fit together with the pelvis as it should.
Causes of Hip & Pelvis
Bursitis
Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs surrounding the hip joint can lead to burning pain or soreness.
Tendinitis
Sore tendons in the hips or hamstrings can cause hip pain. Patients with hip joint tendinitis often feel dull, achy pelvic pain, and patients with hamstring tendinitis report soreness in the buttock.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis results from damage to the cartilage around your hip joints. If you notice pain, redness, warmth, and swelling in the hip joint, it could be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
Injury
Ninety-five percent of hip injuries are caused by falling, according to the CDC. Some patients experience labral tears, which are injuries to the ring of cartilage surrounding the hip joint. Sprains and strains of ligaments and muscles may also cause pain after a fall.
Symptoms of Hip & Pelvis
Depending on the condition that’s causing your hip pain, you might feel the discomfort in your:
- Thigh
- Inside of the hip joint
- Groin
- Outside of the hip joint
- Buttocks
Diagnosis
If your hip pain hasn’t improved after two weeks you should see your doctor.
It’s a good idea to make some notes about your condition before you go, so you can be sure to discuss everything that’s bothering you.
Your doctor will ask about your pain and what movements make it feel worse. They’ll ask how your symptoms started, how they affect your daily activities and whether you’re in pain at night.
Pain when you bend your hip going up or down the stairs or when you put on your socks is often a sign of a hip problem.
How is Hip & Pelvis treated?
- Brace: For babies under 6 months old, doctors may use a brace or harness to hold the joint in place while the child grows.
- Physical therapy: Exercises can strengthen the joint and improve flexibility (ability to move the joint).
- Surgery: In many cases, doctors repair the hip joint with operations such as: arthroscopy (a minimally invasive procedure to repair a torn labrum, the layer of cartilage around the hip socket); periacetabular osteotomy (repositions the femur into the hip socket); or, total hip replacement (restores the hip with an artificial joint).
What tests are there?
X-rays
X-rays are often the best way of finding out what’s wrong with your hip as they show the condition of the bones.how the condition of the bones.
CT scans
A CT (computerised tomography) scan can often be very helpful to work out if the hip joint has an unusual shape.
MRI scans
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans use radio waves to build a picture to show what’s happening to the soft tissue, such as the muscles and tendons, inside your hip
How is Hip & Pelvis treated?
Hip labral tear: Damage to the cartilage that lines the socket of the hip joint.
Osteoarthritis: Cartilage damage that causes hip pain and stiffness.
Dislocated joint: Bones slide out of place in the joint.
Unstable joint: Looseness in the joint that causes pain and weakness.