Hip pain affects more people than you may think. It’s a common cause of functional disability. In fact, it’s estimated that about 30% to 40% of adults in the U.S. who play sports experience hip pain. Chronic hip pain also affects up to 15% of adults who are over 60.
Hip pain can seriously limit your ability to comfortably perform actions like sitting, standing, walking and running. If left unmanaged, your hip pain could become chronic and even worsen with time. It’s essential to seek help from a licensed physical therapy specialist if you experience significant or persistent hip pain.
Causes of Hip Pain
Hip pain can be caused by a variety of conditions or injuries, such as:
- Fractures to the hip bone — Hip fractures are usually caused by traumatic injury and are especially prevalent among the aging population. Older adults are susceptible to hip fractures from trips and falls. In younger adults, hip pain may be due to an unhealed hip bone fracture.
- Labral tear in the hip — The labrum is the ball-and-joint part of the hip socket. When the labrum becomes torn, from overuse or traumatic injury, it can cause stiffness and pain to occur in the hip, especially if left untreated.
- Bursitis — Bursitis, or inflammation of the bursae (cushioning sacs between bones and soft tissue), can also cause pain in the hips. When the bursae become inflamed, whether from injury or overuse, pain and tenderness usually follow.
- Muscle strain — Muscle strain is another common cause of pain in the hips. This injury can occur when the hip-supporting muscles are overworked, such as when you stand or walk all day at work. Muscle strains can also happen when you sit in place for too long at work or at home.
While these are some of the most common causes of hip pain, there may be another cause behind yours. It’s best to consult with a physical therapist for their professional opinion on the source of your pain.
Symptoms You May Experience Along With Hip Pain
Common symptoms of hip pain include:
- Swelling in the hip area.
- Extra warmth coming from the hip area.
- Pain or stiffness when sitting and standing.
- Pain or discomfort after inactivity.
- Tingling or numbness around the hip.
Treatments for Hip Pain
Getting physical therapy treatment for hip pain can usually help patients minimize their pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. At REPAIR SI, we offer more than just physical therapy to our patients. We believe that making a difference in people’s lives can be done by offering a variety of impactful services to improve their quality of life. The services we provide to our patients include:
- Physical therapy.
- Acupuncture.
- Chiropractic care.
- Fitness training.