One of the most important joints in the human body and allowing us to walk, run, and jump, the hip is "ball-and-socket" joint. The socket is formed by the acetabulum, part of the large pelvis bone and the ball is formed by the femoral head.Functionally, the hip joint enjoys a very high range of motion, the ball-and-socket structure of the joint allows the femur to circumduct freely through a 360-degree circle. Surrounding the hip joint are many tough ligaments that prevent the dislocation of the joint. If a knee or hip joint breaks in an accident or wears out in old age, a surgeon can replace it with a ball-and-socket joint made from metal and plastic and engineered in such a way that it will duplicate the motions of a human joint. The strong muscles of the hip region also help in holding the hip joint together and preventing dislocation. The surfaces of the ball and socket are covered with articular cartilage , a smooth, slippery substance that protects and cushions the bones and enables them to move easily.

Hip pain

Hip Pain - Overview

Hip is known as a ball and socket joint. It is a strong joint which moves the most compared to the other joints. Hip joints are covered by strong muscles known as tendons. The muscles, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissue damage can also lead to hip pain. Hip pain can be caused due to many problems. Problems within the hip joint can create pain in and around hip region.

Specific hip conditions

Some of the specific hip conditions include

Osteoarthritis

Paget’s disease of bone

Hip fractures

Other types of arthritis

Osteonecrosis

Soft tissue conditions such as lateral hip pain and tendon issues

Femoroacetabular impingement

Exercises for hip pain

The best exercises for hip pain includes

Water exercises such as swimming and water walking where the patient walks in the water which reduces the pressure on hips as the person floats

Biking or cycling which is a low impact exercise that puts less strain on hips as the person sits while cycling

Walking is not usually recommended but the patient can walk using a cane or walker to apply body pressure on it rather than the hips

Hip Pain: Causes and Treatment

Causes

Hip pain can be caused due to various reasons.

Arthritis

Dislocation

Fracture

Sprains

Injuries

Cancer

Osteoporosis

Treatment

The treatment for hip pain depends on the problem of the patient. Proper and thorough medical check-up is necessary before prescribing the treatment. Muscular trauma may require rest while a fracture would need more intensive care or surgery, if necessary.

Signs of hip problems

Signs that denote hip pain are as follows:

Trauma to the hip due to a fall, kick or twist

Limping

Sciatica pain

Inflammation around the hip area

What are symptoms of arthritis in the hip?

Symptoms of Hip Arthritis are as follows:

Hip pain, including pain in the groin, buttocks or outer thigh

Pain in the morning which lessens as the day progresses

Difficulty in walking

Stiffness in the hip

Limited motion in the hips

Is walking good for arthritis of the hips?

Walking is not recommended for people who suffer from arthritis. If at all the patient needs to walk, they can take the support of a cane or walker to do so. Rather than putting pressure on the hips, if walker is used, the pressure will go into it and not onto the hips.

What is the best treatment for arthritis in the hip?

Treatment for hip arthritis depends on different factors including overall health, preferences and age of the patient. Non-surgical treatment methods include

Corticosteroid injections

Anti-inflammatory medications

Physiotherapy

Using walkers or canes to walk

Besides these treatments, making some lifestyle modifications can also reduce the visible symptoms. This includes