Why hip pain occurs

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Hip pain isn’t an uncommon complaint at all. While the hip joint is durable and can withstand repeated motion and a reasonable amount of wear and tear, it’s not indestructible; the cartilage can eventually wear down or undergo damage. Hip pain can occur as a result, possibly of abnormalities in the hip itself or other joints in the body.

Issues within the hip joint tend to cause pain on the inside of one’s hip or groin. Hip pain on the outside of the hip, as well as the upper thigh or outer buttock, is typically caused by problems with the ligaments, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues surrounding the hip joint. The pain can also be what’s called referred pain, or one emanating from diseases in other bodily areas, such as the lower back.

Hip pain is commonly caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, particularly in older adults. Arthritis leads to inflamed hip joint and the breakdown of the cartilage cushioning the hip bones. Hip fractures are another common cause, as aging bones can become weak, brittle, and likely to break during a fall.

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Hip pain can also emerge from a number of injuries, such as bursitis or joint inflammation, dislocation, hip fracture, hip labral tear, sprains and strains, tendinitis, and inguinal hernia. Tendinitis is inflamed or irritated tendons, the thick bands of tissue attaching bones to muscles. It usually results from repetitive stress from overuse.

Other common reasons for hip pain include pinched nerves, cancer, and other problems such as avascular necrosis, osteomyelitis (bone infection), osteoporosis, and synovitis. In the case of cancer, advanced cases may have already spread to the bones, affecting hip joint health. Tumors starting in the bone or spreading to it can also cause pain in the hips.

Dr. Ryan Shephard has a medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at McLaren Macomb in Mt. Clemens, MI in 2015. For similar reads, visit this page.