5 Common Causes of Recurrent Hip Pain

Hip pain can significantly impact your daily life, limiting mobility and causing discomfort. While occasional hip pain may not be a cause for concern, recurrent hip pain can be a sign of an underlying issue that requires attention. 

Our team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons regularly helps our patients in Bloomfield Hills and Clarkston, Michigan find relief from hip pain. The first step is to pinpoint the source of your pain. 

Read on as our team here at Orthopedic Specialists of Oakland County highlights five common causes of recurrent hip pain, their symptoms, causes, and potential treatment options.

Osteoarthritis

Since 1990, the number of people with osteoarthritis in their hip has risen 115%, making this a very common source of recurrent hip pain. 

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that commonly affects the hip joint, develops from wear-and-tear. Cartilage in your hip can break down over time, and when this happens, your hip bones may rub against each other, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. 

Aging, obesity, and even previous traumatic injuries can all contribute to wear-and-tear. Treatment for hip arthritis includes lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and healthy eating, maintaining a healthy weight, pain management techniques, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, joint replacement surgery.

Bursitis

Bursae 一 small fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions between your bones, tendons, and muscles 一 can become inflamed from activities such as running or even prolonged sitting. When this happens, it’s known as bursitis. 

Bursitis in your hips can be painful. You might experience pain, swelling, and tenderness. 

Treatment typically involves rest, avoiding activities that aggravate the condition, applying ice packs, and, in some cases, receiving corticosteroid injections.

Hip impingement

Hip impingement, also known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), is a condition characterized by an abnormal contact between the bones of your hip joint. This can cause pain in your groin or in the front of your thigh, joint stiffness, and limited range of motion. 

Other symptoms include:

• Inability to flex your hip beyond a right angle
• Trouble using the stairs
• Limping
• Loss of balance

Hip impingement can develop due to structural abnormalities in the hip joint, such as excess bone growth or a misshapen femoral head or acetabulum. 

Treatment options may include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and, in some cases, surgical intervention to reshape the bones.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, a fiber that connects your muscles to your bones. In the hip region, tendonitis can occur in the iliotibial (IT) band or the gluteal tendons. Activities that involve repetitive hip movements, such as running, cycling, or jumping, can lead to tendonitis. 

Tendonitis also causes pain, swelling, and tenderness, and you may find that certain activities intensify your pain.

Tendonitis may improve with rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and modifying any activities that exacerbate your condition.

Muscle strains

You have many muscles in your hips, and six of them are located deep within your hip. In fact, they’re called the Deep Six. A muscle strain happens when you overstretch (or in some cases, tear) a muscle. Sudden movements, overuse, and inadequate warm-ups before physical activity all increase your risk of muscle strains. 

You might suspect you have a muscle strain in your hip if you:

• Felt pain suddenly after a quick movement
• Have pain that increases with movement
• Experience muscle weaknesses
• Can’t exhibit a full range of motion

Treatment involves rest, applying ice packs, gentle stretching, compression, and gradually reintroducing physical activity once the muscles have healed.

What’s causing your hip pain?

Recurrent hip pain can significantly impact your quality of life, making it crucial to identify the underlying causes and seek appropriate treatment. Osteoarthritis, bursitis, hip impingement, tendonitis, and muscle strains are among the common culprits of recurrent hip pain ー all of which we can accurately diagnose and treat. 

Don’t let hip pain keep you from thriving. Call 248-335-2977 to make an appointment at either Michigan office. You can also use our online form to get started today.