Hip pain can significantly impact daily activities and quality of life. Hip issues can affect people of a range of ages from young adult sporting hip problems through to older age related hip issues.
Some common causes of hip pain include:
- Labral tears: The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the hip joint. Twisting or trauma to the hip can irritate or tear this cartilage, leading to pain and instability. Fortunately, many cases can be effectively managed without surgery.
- Hip Impingement or Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI): Structural issues of the ball or socket of the hip joint can lead to impingement. This can result in pain during specific movements, such as sitting or squatting.
- Osteoarthritis: This is a common cause of hip pain, particularly as we age. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions the hip joint wears down over time, resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction in the hip joint, can cause significant pain and discomfort on the outside of the hip. Pain in this area can also be caused by Gluteus medius tendinopathy.
Physiotherapy treatment for hip pain:
- Hands on therapy
- Strengthening of your hip musculature and core
- Stretching (in some but not all cases!)
- Pilates
- Shockwave (in some but not all cases!)
