Our hips are ball and socket joints that have a high degree of mobility but also need to be strong and stable to transfer load from our body to our legs. A range of conditions can cause hip pain, including overuse injuries, arthritis, bursitis and tendinopathy. A more detailed description of some of these conditions are provided below:
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome commonly affects women more than men and is categorised by inflammation and pain of the tendons of the hip muscles on the outside of the hip joint. Symptoms can include swelling and tenderness on the outside of the hip, stiffness and pain when lying on the affected side. Walking, standing, cycling, running and going up and down stairs may all be activities where you experience symptoms. These symptoms usually resolve well with a graded progressive exercise programme.
Piriformis syndrome results in pain deep within the buttock caused by the piriformis muscle. However the sciatica nerve lies very close to the piriformis and therefore you can also experience nerve like symptoms, including pins and needles, numbness, shooting or burning sensations. Once an assessment has been carried out, treatment will vary depending on the nature of the diagnosis.
Groin muscle strains are more common in active and sporty 20-30 year old males, however it is also increasing in females too. Pain is felt when stretching the groin or pressing the tendon. Again, a graded progressive exercise programme and full biomechanical assessment can assist in a rehabilitation programme. Rehabilitation time scales will vary though depending on how long you have been experiencing the symptoms for.
The type of treatment and exercises you receive will be determined by your individual needs and goals. If you are experiencing hip pain, it’s always a good idea to consult with a physiotherapist to determine the cause and develop an appropriate management plan.