3 Reasons Your Hip Aches

It’s a common stereotype to think that hip pain is a specific ailment of the elderly population but that is incorrect.  Hip aches and discomfort affects people of all ages and walks of life that can result from various causes.  Your hip joints are vulnerable to injury since they are one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the body.

Here are 3reasons your hip aches and how you can find relief:

Tendonitis

If you’re physically active, it’s possible to irritate the tendons that surround your hip bone.  The older you get, your tendons lose some of their flexibility.  Symptoms include swelling in the hip and leg, difficulty walking, and difficulty bending or twisting.  Treatment for tendonitis may include rest, heat and ice applications, physical therapy or anti-inflammatory medication.

Bursitis

A bursa is a fluid-filled sac located between your hip bone and soft tissue that acts like a cushion.  If it’s inflamed, it can cause hip pain.  Bursitis hip pain generally starts with a sharp, localized sensation and moves into a dull hip ache that spreads to surrounding areas.  Bursitis pain tends to be more intense when you are lying down at night or standing or sitting for long periods of time.  Bursitis treatment can include treatments to decrease the inflammation, and in rare and severe cases, may require injections to decrease the inflammation of the bursa.

Arthritis

There are several different types of arthritis that can result in hip pain.  The most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  Osteoarthritis may be the result of a previous injury or infection to a joint or it can simply happen with age.  Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by your immune system attacking the healthy tissues in your joints.  Both of these common types of arthritis include swelling, stiffness and redness.  If your hip aches from arthritis, treatment may include medication, physical therapy or surgery.

Fortunately if you are fed up with saying your hip aches, physical therapy can help reduce pain, improve quality of life and delay or even eliminate the need for surgery. If you suffer from hip pain, talk with one of Fusion Rehabilitation’s licensed physical therapists today to find the best treatment option for you.