Hip Pain

Because the human hip joint consists of a number of different components, it also contains a number of potential failure points — and those failures can leave you in significant pain. Common causes of hip pain include:

• Arthritis– Arthritis in the hip can cause chronic joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness. There are many different types of arthritis, the most common being osteoarthritis (degeneration of the joint cartilage).
• Bursitis– Your hip joint contains fluid-filled sacs called bursae which minimize friction between tendons and bones. But if these bursae experience too much friction, they can become painfully irritated, a problem known as bursitis.
• Tendinitis– Tendinitis is the inflammation of one or more tendons. This can occur either as an acute injury or as a chronic condition.
• Sciatica– Sciatica is a neurological syndrome caused by a pinched nerve — specifically, the sciatic nerve or its nerve roots. Since the sciatic nerve runs through the hip and leg, you may experience referred pain in the hip.
• Sprain or another acute injury– A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. This acute injury tends to occur when you suddenly twist your hip or change direction while your foot is planted. Another acute hip injury is a labral tear, which involves damage to the ring of cartilage surrounding the socket.
• Overuse– Any joint, including the hip, can sustain progressive damage and experience chronic pain as a result of overuse. Repetitive motions in your chosen work or sport can lead to constant muscle strain and tendinitis.