Hip Pain

Hip pain is a common complaint that can be caused by a wide variety of problems. From a medical perspective, hip pain can originate from structures within the hip joint itself or from the surrounding structures such as ligaments, tendons, muscles, and the overlying skin. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint that allows for a range of movements, including walking, sitting, and twisting. Pain can arise from intra-articular structures like the articular cartilage, labrum, and the joint capsule, or from periarticular structures such as the bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between tissues, and the iliotibial band, which is a group of fibers running along the outside of the thigh.

The causes of hip pain are varied and can include arthritis, which is a common condition involving inflammation of the joint, leading to pain and stiffness. Trauma or injury such as fractures, dislocations, and sprains can also result in acute or chronic hip pain. Overuse injuries from repetitive movements like running or cycling, as well as referred pain from problems in other parts of the body like the spine or knees, can manifest as hip discomfort. Additionally, conditions like bursitis, tendinitis, and hip impingement are sources of hip pain. Diagnosis typically involves a thorough clinical examination, patient history, and imaging studies like X-rays or MRIs to determine the underlying cause of the pain.