In the vast majority of cases, pain in the hip joint is associated with the degeneration of the cartilaginous synovial layer and the development of deforming osteoarthritis. But this is when we are talking about patients over 45 years of age. But at a younger age, completely different pathological processes can cause the appearance of such a clinical symptom. And very often they are directly related to the defeat of the lumbosacral spine and lumbago syndrome. Most of them are complications of long-term osteochondrosis without proper treatment.
Pain in the hip joint indicates that the position of the femoral head in the joint acetabulum is disturbed. This joint is one of the most loaded. This takes into account the maximum amortization load when walking, running, standing and sitting.
The head of the femur, like the acetabulum of the hip bone, is lined by a cartilaginous joint layer. Inside the joint capsule is synovial fluid. When compressed, the cartilage secretes synovial fluid, straightens and reabsorbs it. Thus, the simultaneous distribution of the amortization load and the protection of the bone tissue from damage and cracks are realized.
Synovial fluid is produced during the work of the muscles surrounding the joint. It penetrates the joint capsule by diffuse exchange. Maintaining the proper level and optimal viscosity of synovial fluid is the key to the longevity and health of the hip joint.
Unfortunately, a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, traumatic effects, excess weight and other risk factors lead to the fact that synovial fluid becomes small or loses its physiological properties. This begins the process of destruction of the cartilaginous synovial layer.
Bone tissue is destroyed and covered with deposits of calcium salts - osteophytes. The joint loses its mobility. Ankylosis and contracture develop. In the later stages of coxarthrosis, only hip joint surgery can help the patient. This is the most dangerous disease that can lead to disability in adulthood. In the initial stage, it can be successfully treated with manual therapy methods.
At a young age, pain in the hip joint while walking can occur due to traumatic changes in the ligament and tendon system. If someone has even minor problems with the lumbosacral spine, the amortization load is not evenly distributed. As a result, ligaments and tendons are subjected to high mechanical stress. They are occasionally subject to microscopic damage. In these places, cicatricial deformities are formed and gradually begin to exert pressure on the neighboring nerve fibers. This provokes the appearance of pain.
In middle age, pain in the hip joint can also be associated with damage to the lumbosacral spine. But in this case, the probability of violation of blood microcirculation increases. The defeat of the radicular nerves and the lumbosacral nerve plexus leads to disruption of the tone of the muscle wall of the bloodstream. As a result, the tissues around the hip joint, like other parts of the lower limbs, do not receive enough nutrition. Ischemic processes begin.
In case of long-term combined loading of the hip joint, there is a risk of developing aseptic necrosis of the bone tissue against the background of the ischemic process. This is a very dangerous disease that can lead to disability in adulthood if treatment is delayed. A person loses his ability to work, requires surgical intervention and long-term rehabilitation.
We strongly recommend that you consult an orthopedic doctor in case of any discomfort in the hip joint. If necessary, he will appoint a consultation with a vertebrologist, neurologist or angiosurgeon.
Causes of severe aching pain and stiffness in the hip joint
Some of the possible causes of severe hip pain have already been mentioned above. However, this is not a complete list of factors that negatively affect the condition of the hip joint.
Severe pain in the hip joint can occur as a result of a traumatic effect - this is:
- a hip fracture is a serious injury that most often requires surgical intervention to restore integrity;
- fibula or femur fracture;
- dislocation or subluxation with the extension of the joint capsule, the accumulation of capillary blood and the subsequent development process of hemarthrosis;
- rupture of the joint capsule;
- violation of the integrity of joint bags (burs);
- stretching and tearing of ligament and tendon fibers, including subsequent deformational scarring.
Painful pain in the hip joint can be the result of dystrophic processes. Both external soft tissues and cartilaginous joint membranes can be affected in the articulation of bones. Violation of the tone of the vascular wall against the background of lumbosacral osteochondrosis is the most common cause of tissue destruction of the hip joints. If we add to this the negative effect of forced curvature due to muscle fiber tension syndrome, it becomes clear that the pathology of cartilaginous intervertebral discs can lead to disability due to the destruction of the hip joint.
Note that pain and stiffness in the hip joint may be a sign of ankylosis. This disease can be post-traumatic or rheumatic. In the first case, a contracture first develops, and then the amplitude of mobility decreases to complete immobility. Rheumatic lesions include ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, polyarthritis, etc. joint form.
Possible causes of pain in the hip joint are diseases of the locomotor system. They develop as a result of the following risk factors:
- overweight and obesity (each additional kilogram of weight puts a huge load on all joints and the spine and accelerates their destruction);
- maintaining a sedentary lifestyle with insufficient physical activity and sedentary work - the process of blood supply to the tissues of the hip joint is interrupted, the efficiency of the synovial fluid decreases, and the process of disintegration of the cartilaginous protective tissues begins;
- smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages - changes biochemical processes, causes a sharp spasm of capillary blood flow;
- heavy physical work and lifting extreme weights without prior training;
- improper installation of the foot in the form of flat feet or club feet;
- improper selection of shoes for everyday wear and physical education;
- violation of the rules of ergonomics when arranging your sleeping and workplace.
All these risk factors must be ruled out. An experienced doctor will try to identify the alleged cause and factors of negative effects during the initial collection of anamnesis. Then he gives individual recommendations to the patient, the observance of which will eliminate the risk of recurrence of the identified disease in the future. Therefore, be sure to follow all the doctor's recommendations.
Which doctor should I see for hip joint pain?
The answer to the question of which doctor treats hip pain largely depends on the circumstances under which such a clinical symptom appeared. For example, if you have fallen, slipped or had an accident, you should first contact a trauma specialist. This doctor excludes the possibility of violating the integrity of the tissues. If necessary, he will give you all the help you need.
After that, it is recommended to consult a chiropractor for complete rehabilitation. You will develop therapeutic exercises that fully restore the working capacity of the body's musculature after forced immobilization. This prevents the risk of deforming osteoarthritis and other serious degenerative pathologies in the future.
If you are constantly bothered by pain in the hip joint - which doctor should you consult? We strongly recommend that you find a manual therapy clinic near where you live. They are usually staffed by doctors who have extensive experience in treating such patients.
Unfortunately, in most urban clinics, it is either impossible to make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist, or this specialist only deals with the symptomatic treatment of the identified pathology. Those. only formally approaches the solution of the patient's problem.
In case of long-term pain, it is very important to rule out the possibility of destruction of the lumbosacral spine. Therefore, in addition to a consultation with an orthopedic specialist, a vertebrologist or neurologist may also be needed. Usually, doctors with this profile successfully practice in specialized manual therapy clinics.
Treatment of hip pain
The treatment of hip joint pain can only be started after an accurate diagnosis has been established. This is a clinical symptom of various pathologies. And their causes must be taken into account during appropriate therapy.
For example, if the destruction of the cartilage layer inside the joint is caused by muscle weakness, due to the destruction of the intervertebral discs of the lumbosacral spine against the background of insufficient innervation, then the course of treatment can be approximately as follows:
- firstly, by manual traction of the spinal column, it makes sense to restore the normal position of the vertebral bodies and eliminate the compressive pressure of cartilaginous tissues and radicular nerves;
- then with the help of massage, the doctor can eliminate the syndrome of excessive muscle fiber tension and improve the elasticity of all soft tissues, speed up the process of their blood supply;
- osteopathic effect triggers the disturbed process of blood microcirculation, lymph and intercellular fluid, which has a positive effect on tissue trophism, eliminating infiltrative edema of the soft tissues surrounding the joint;
- physiotherapy accelerates metabolic processes, removes decay products, increases the synthesis of new cells, etc. ;
- laser exposure stimulates reparative processes;
- Reflexology has a stimulating effect, as it affects the biologically active points of the human body;
- Therapeutic gymnastics in combination with kinesiotherapy develops the muscles of the human body, starts the disturbed trophism of cartilage tissue in the joints and in the area of the affected discs.
The course of treatment for hip pain is always developed individually. Do not rush to take medicine without a doctor's prescription. Most of them may be completely useless in your case. The second part of pharmacological agents can significantly accelerate the process of tissue breakdown inside the hip joints.
If you have discomfort in the area of this articulation of the bones, then in no case tolerate them. Request an appointment with the specialist who will be available. If necessary, request a joint X-ray or MRI examination. For treatment, find a manual therapy clinic in your area.