Hip Pain Conditions
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
This is characterized by pain that extends from the side of the hip, and often down the side of the thigh to the knee. It usually varies from mild to moderate in intensity. This can be caused by an impact to the area, but is occurs more typically from overuse due to an altered gait. This comes on from favoring a sore foot, ankle, knee or hip. Sometimes the problem comes on from changes in joint and muscle function in the lower back. This is a fairly common problem that we deal with at Axis Health. Temporarily alleviating the pain is relatively easy. Restoring normal balance to muscle and joint structures can take some time, as responses to stretching and strengthing can take a conciderable amount of time, but may take as little as three weeks.
Bursitis
Just behind the bony part of the side of the hip is the trochanteric bursa. It is a squishy, fluid-filled sack that is there to reduce friction in areas where muscles cross over bone. When this structure is impacted or rubbed repeatedly it eventually becomes inflamed, causing the bursa to experience bursitis. Because this is a confined area, inflammation produces painful pressure. The underlying cause needs to be addressed by careful evaluation and treatment, to prevent this from happening again. Immediate treatment is oriented towards reducing pain and inflammation in the bursa using ice and ultrasound, and by loosening tight muscles with stretching and massage.
Hip Degeneration
Wear and tear of the hip from age or injury can cause significant degeneration in the joint itself. This initially leads to pain in the front of the hip where the leg attatches to your body. As this worsens, the pain spreads to the side and back of the hip, and often into the front or inside of the thigh. This type of problem causes a chain reaction in which the lower back becomes a problem as well. Treatment is oriented towards reducing pain and muscle spasms around the hip and lower back, while keeping as much mobility in the hip as possible. Ultimately if the hip is worn badly enough it leads to surgical intervention.