Hip pain in women can be caused by wear and tear, overuse, and a few other causes. Here are the most typical culprits.
Does your hip ache? Just like other types of chronic pain, women tend to experience it more than men. However because hip pain can have a number of different causes, determining the right one is the essential to getting the best treatment.
Getting a Hip Pain Diagnosis
When you inform your doctor your hip hurts, the first thing he ought to do is confirm that your hip is in fact the issue. Women might state they have hip pain, however what they may imply is they have pain in the side of the upper thigh or upper butt, or they may be experiencing lower back pain, says Stephanie E. Siegrist, MD, an orthopedic specialist in Rochester, N.Y., and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Hip pain is frequently felt in the groin or on the outside of the hip directly over where the hip joint (a ball-and-socket joint) lies.
Hip Pain Causes in Women
When a female patient comes to Dr. Siegrist experiencing hip pain, she considers the patient’s age, develop, and activity level. If the patient is a thin 20-year-old runner or a heavy, inactive 80-year-old grandmother, “the possibilities at the top of my list will be different,” she states.
Among the most common causes of hip pain in women are:
1. Arthritis. The most common cause of chronic hip pain in women is arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear kind that influences many individuals as they age. “The ball-and-socket joint begins to break,” Siegrist states. Arthritis pain is frequently felt in the front of your thigh or in the groin, due to stiffness or swelling in the joint.
2. Hip fractures. Hip fractures are common in older women, particularly those with osteoporosis (reduced bone density). Symptoms of a hip fracture include pain when you straighten, raise, or base on your leg. Likewise, the toes on your injured side will appear to end up, a sign that can aid your doctor’s preliminary diagnosis.
3. Tendinitis and bursitis. Many tendons around the hip link the muscles to the joint. These tendons can easily become inflamed if you overuse them or take part in exhausting activities. Among the most typical causes of tendinitis at the hip joint, specifically in runners, is iliotibial band syndrome– the iliotibial band is the thick period of tissue that runs from the outer rim of your pelvis to the beyond your knee.
Another typical cause of hip pain in women is bursitis, says Marc Philippon, MD, an orthopedic specialist in Vail, Colo. Fluid-filled sacs called bursae cushion the bony part of the hip that is close to the surface. Like the tendons, these sacs can end up being inflamed from inflammation or overuse and cause pain whenever you move the hip joint.
4. Hernia. In the groin area, femoral and inguinal hernias– often described as sports hernias– can cause anterior (frontal) hip pain in women. Pregnant women can be susceptible to inguinal hernias due to the fact that of the included pressure on the wall of their abdomen.
5. Gynecological and back problems. “Hip pain in women can have gynecological causes,” Siegrist states. “It’s essential not to just assume that the pain is caused by arthritis, bursitis or tendinitis. Depending upon your age and other health problems, the pain in your hip might be originating from some other system.”
Endometriosis (when the uterus lining grows elsewhere) can cause pelvic inflammation, which some women describe as hip pain. Pain from the back and spinal column also can be referred and probed the butts and hip, Siegrist states. Sciatica, a pinched nerve, can cause pain in the back of the hip– the pain from sciatica can begin in your lower back and take a trip down to your butts and legs.
Hip Pain Treatment
Treatment for hip pain depends upon the diagnosis, however pain that’s caused by overuse or sports injuries is frequently treated with heat, rest, and non-prescription anti-inflammatory medication. To prevent injuries, it is important to extend prior to working out and wear proper clothing, especially good shoes when running, Dr. Philippon states.
If particular activities or overuse are causing hip pain, stop those that aggravate the discomfort and speak with your doctor. Excess weight can put pressure on the hip joint, so losing the pounds can offer relief and help you prevent more problems. Some causes of hip pain, such as fractures or hernias, might require surgical repairs. If your hip pain continues, speak to your doctor about the possible causes and treatments.
