The causes of hip pain can range from injuries of the bones, muscles or other tissues present in the hip to inherited genetic disorders.  The following are the most common conditions that cause hip pain:

• • Arthritis:  Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis are the most common causes of hip pain, especially among the aged.  The patient suffers from stiffness and inflammation of the hip joint, which may also lead to breakdown of the cartilage
  • Hip fracture: This may be caused due to sudden falls or osteoporosis
  • Bursitis: The liquid filled sacs called bursae present in and around the bones, muscles and other tissues in the hip joints can get inflamed due to overuse. This condition is called bursitis which may cause inflammation in the hip area
  • Muscle or tendon strain: Strain caused by overuse of muscles, ligaments and tendons present in the hip area
  • Hip labral tear: The tear in the cartilage called labrum causing pain and strain. It is generally caused due to sudden or repetitive twisting movements.
  • Cancers: Cancerous cells in the hip bones or even those present in other body parts, are another cause for the sensation of pain or inflammation in the hip.
  • Avascular necrosis: It is also called osteonecrosis. This is caused by slowing down of blood flow to the hip bone resulting in the death of the bone tissues

Sometimes, the sensation of pain in the hip is caused by the radiation of pain from other areas of the body such as that from the back or groin.

The causes of hip pain can range from injuries of the bones, muscles or other tissues present in the hip to inherited genetic disorders.  The following are the most common conditions that cause hip pain:

• • Arthritis:  Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis are the most common causes of hip pain, especially among the aged.  The patient suffers from stiffness and inflammation of the hip joint, which may also lead to breakdown of the cartilage
  • Hip fracture: This may be caused due to sudden falls or osteoporosis
  • Bursitis: The liquid filled sacs called bursae present in and around the bones, muscles and other tissues in the hip joints can get inflamed due to overuse. This condition is called bursitis which may cause inflammation in the hip area
  • Muscle or tendon strain: Strain caused by overuse of muscles, ligaments and tendons present in the hip area
  • Hip labral tear: The tear in the cartilage called labrum causing pain and strain. It is generally caused due to sudden or repetitive twisting movements.
  • Cancers: Cancerous cells in the hip bones or even those present in other body parts, are another cause for the sensation of pain or inflammation in the hip.
  • Avascular necrosis: It is also called osteonecrosis. This is caused by slowing down of blood flow to the hip bone resulting in the death of the bone tissues

Sometimes, the sensation of pain in the hip is caused by the radiation of pain from other areas of the body such as that from the back or groin.

The diagnosis of the causes of hip pain is generally begins at analysis of the medical history of the patient. This is to mostly determine the presence of arthritis and its connection with family history, if any.

The various methodologies used for diagnosing hip pains and its causes are:

• Physical examination of the patient to determine range of hip motion, leg motion, walking postures, etc
• Blood tests: Performed for evaluating elevated white blood cell count called ESR that determines infections in the hip and rheumatic disorders
• X-Ray: Used for detecting musculoskeletal abnormalities such as fractures, or any other deterioration of the hip bones
• MRI: Used for getting a more detailed picture of any abnormality on the surfaces, bones and cartilage at the hip joints, that was not detected through X-Ray
• CT Scan: A Computerized Tomography (CT) is generally done when the hip joint has an unusual shape. The scan uses x-ray to show slices of the hip and then forms a 3D image of the slices to detect any abnormality.

Based on the diagnostic test reports and the other factors like age of the patient and activities he is able to perform, the doctor will choose the best suitable option for the treatment of the pain.  

Pain killers: For mild to normal pain, oral medication is generally prescribed by the doctors.

However, when the pain is very severe, the doctors might decide to go for surgery called arthroplasty. The hip surgeries can be of the following kinds:

Anterior approach: This is surgery of the hip through the front part of the upper thigh.

Posterior approach:  This is surgery of the hip from the outer buttocks.

Hip Preservation Surgery/Hip Arthroscopy: This is a laparoscopic surgery performed to remove the extra bone formations or other loose bodies from the hip region.