Hip pain
Want to know what causes your hip pain? What tests are needed to find out? How can hip pain be treated and what is the recovery time?
With the help of the specialists in hip prostheses at the Budapest Musculoskeletal Private Outpatient Clinic, we have summarised the most important things to know about it
Structure of the hips
The hip joint is made up of the spherical head of the femur and the hemispherical depression of the pelvis, the diaphragm. Each is covered with cartilage, and these cartilaginous surfaces can easily slip over each other during movement if the hip joint is healthy. The hip is a ball and socket joint that can move freely, stretching and flexing as well as extending and moving the limb closer and closer and rotating it. The hip is a fairly stable joint with strong ligamentous connections.
How is hip pain treated in our practice?
When a patient comes to us with hip pain, our orthopaedic specialist will first diagnose the condition through a thorough medical examination. This may involve imaging tests in addition to physical examinations. He will then draw up a treatment plan. For milder problems, conservative treatment is sufficient. This may include cartilage-strengthening products and physiotherapy, and, if necessary, prescription of pain and anti-inflammatory medication. In more severe cases of hip pain, hyaluronic acid injections may be considered, which can postpone hip surgery for up to several years. A stem cell therapy called Lipogems can also help cartilage regeneration. This is recommended when hip replacement is not yet indicated but other conservative treatments are no longer bringing significant improvement.
If the hip pain and the underlying disease are so severe that conservative treatment methods no longer work, hip prosthesis surgery, a major breakthrough in 20th century medicine, may be considered. In most cases, hip pain can be completely eliminated and patients regain freedom of movement. Our specialist orthopedic surgeons use the latest surgical techniques, which make post-operative rehabilitation faster and less painful.
Our orthopedic specialists for hip pain
Our orthopaedic specialists are leading doctors of national institutions, who are highly experienced, provide fast and accurate diagnosis, personalised treatment plans and the most modern surgical solutions for our patients.
Dr. Péter Molnár
Orthopedic-Traumatologist, Chief Operating Surgeon, Robotic Surgeon
Dr. Szabolcs Gáspár
Orthopedic-traumatologist, head physician, robotic surgeon
Dr. Zoltán Bejek PhD
Orthopedic Associate Professor, Robotic Surgeon
Dr. Gergely Holnapy, PhD
Chief Orthopedic-Traumatology Physician, University Adjunct, Robotic Surgeon
Causes of hip pain – medical causes
The complaint is very often caused by cartilage degeneration, which affects almost a quarter of the population. It is more common in women over 50. In addition to cartilage degeneration, pain can also be caused by fractures, bursitis, tendonitis, muscle or ligament strain, bone death, rupture of the joint capsule and cancer.
- For vaginitis: Tendonitis is most commonly a problem in the wrist and hand joints, but it can also occur in any overused joint, including the hip. Anti-inflammatory drugs and rest can reduce symptoms.
- Because of cartilage degeneration: The cause of cartilage degeneration is not always known. Sometimes it occurs alone, but it can also be caused by other hip joint conditions. It can also be caused by injuries to the hip, congenital hip dislocation and excessive or one-sided loading of the joint. X-rays can be used to determine the stage of cartilage degeneration. In the first two stages, the cartilage is just softening and the structure is weakening. In the third stage, the signs of wear are already clearly visible on imaging, and in the fourth stage, even walking causes the patient very severe pain.
- Muscle or ligament strain: Overuse can also cause muscle or ligament pulling in the joint, which can lead to severe pain. Resting, icing and padding the limb can alleviate the problem. Painkillers may also be needed.
- Due to a bone fracture: Hip fractures often occur in the neck of the thigh. It can be caused by an accident or even a simple fall – this is common in older patients with osteoporosis. It is associated with severe hip pain and an inability to walk. Resolution is surgical if the patient’s general condition allows, often operated on the day of the fracture
- For pelvic inflammatory disease: Sphenoid bullae are connective tissue formations whose role is to cushion bony surfaces and “oil” surfaces that friction occurs during movement. Inflammation is usually caused by overuse and is common in athletes. Rest, compresses, pain and anti-inflammatory drugs and ointments can relieve the pain, but a permanent solution requires lifestyle changes.
- Because of a rupture of the articular wall: Rotation of the hip can cause a rupture in the articular process. This risk is increased in certain sports, such as golf, ice skating and hockey, and running, which put a lot of stress on the hip.
- Cancer: Joint pain can sometimes be caused by cancer. A tumour affecting another part of the body can metastasise to bones, including the hip bone. In the case of bone cancer, the tumour can form in the bone cells and can be either benign or malignant.
- Due to necrosis of the bones: Osteoporosis, or bone necrosis, can also cause hip pain. It most commonly occurs in the head of the femur. It is caused by a local blood supply disturbance, which may be due to injury, Perthes’ disease of unknown origin in childhood and steroid medication. If the disease is advanced, a hip prosthesis may be necessary.
Lifestyle causes of hip pain
Lifestyle habits can also play a role in the development of hip pain: for example, a sedentary lifestyle, but also excessive, one-sided or inappropriate exercise. Ongoing stress can also aggravate joint pain. Constant stress can also cause joint pain, because muscles tighten and tight muscles put pressure on the joint. Under stress, we are more sensitive to pain, which can be exacerbated.
- For running: Many amateur runners experience intermittent or constant hip pain, so it’s worth paying attention to your body’s signals. Hip pain associated with running may be caused by muscle strain, tendinitis, overuse and weakness of the hamstring muscles. The chances of running-related injuries are reduced by a thorough warm-up, gradual increase in load and regular stretching of the muscles.
- Yoga: Yoga is beneficial to the muscular system, relaxing muscles and reducing a wide range of aches and pains through muscle stretching, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. However, in some cases it can also cause joint pain. If we do not follow the principle of gradualness or if we do exercises that are not appropriate for our abilities and current condition, pain can be the result.
- At night: Hip pain at night causes severe sleep disturbances for patients. Joint inflammation, tendons and lumbar sphincters can also cause nighttime hip pain, but muscle strain or weakness can also be a factor.
- Ageing: As we age, there is an increased chance of hip pain, and consequently reduced mobility and limited mobility. Hip pain in older age is very often caused by cartilage degeneration, which, although a natural part of ageing, can be prevented if detected early. For this reason, it is not recommended to wait months for a medical examination. Conservative treatment for mild cases consists of cartilage-strengthening agents, while for more severe symptoms, good results can be achieved with courses of hyaluronic acid injections or medical collagen injections, and stem cell therapy (LIPOGEMS) is now available in our practice.
- After training: Hip pain after exercise can be caused by weakness in certain muscles, such as the core muscles. Another cause may be when the knees are bent during running or strength training, because the hip position is not optimal. Failure to warm up and stretch can also cause joint pain and injury.
- Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a disease associated with a reduction in bone mass and calcium content, which is associated with an increased risk of bone fractures. It is more common in women than in men and is much more common in older age. In osteoporosis, a simple fall can result in fractures of the bones around the hip, with severe hip pain.
- After surgery: Thanks to modern medical pain relief solutions, patients no longer have to deal with severe pain during hip replacement surgery. This also has the advantage that patients can get back on their feet and start their rehabilitation as soon as possible.
- Mental okai: Hip pain can also have psychological causes. For example, not being able to move forward in an area of life and feeling blocked can also cause joint pain. Prolonged stress can increase symptoms, so it’s a good idea to relax regularly.
Types of hip pain
Hip pain is a slightly different sensation for each person. The exact area of the hip where the pain is felt varies, as does the activity and posture in which the pain occurs.
- When setting up: A common complaint of sedentary workers is hip pain when standing up. The muscles around the hips weaken during prolonged sitting in a stooped posture and this can also cause pain.
- At the meeting: Also caused by too much sitting, during which the hip flexor muscles become shortened and weakened. A physiotherapist can help to correct this problem by teaching personalised exercises.
- When lying down: Inflammation, broken bones, muscle strains and muscle spasms can also cause pain when lying down. If you haven’t done much exercise in the period before the pain starts and the complaint doesn’t go away in a day or two, a comprehensive specialist examination is recommended.
- Lateral: Joint inflammation and tendonitis can also cause this complaint. It is usually treated conservatively with injections or medication.
Symptoms of hip pain
Hip pain can also take the form of pressure, stabbing, throbbing, radiating pain, and can occur in different areas of the hip. This is all important information for the specialist during the examination.
- Hip pain discharge: Hip pain can radiate to the thigh, shin and groin area. At the same time, diseases of other parts of the body can cause pain radiating to the hip, such as herniated discs and sciatica.
- With thigh pain: Hip pain in the form of thigh pain is usually caused by a pinched nerve. Treatment may include painkillers and physiotherapy.
- Lower back pain Hip pain: Lower back pain radiating to the hip can be caused by sciatica (i.e. sciatic nerve pain). It may be caused by disc herniation or by joint degeneration between the vertebrae.
- Disc herniation hip pain: A disc herniation is a protrusion of the discs between the vertebrae that make up the spinal column, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and the nerve roots that exit from it. Pressure on the nerve running through the hip can also cause hip pain.
- Pain on the inside of the hip joint: If pain is felt on the inside of the hip, it may be a sign of a hip joint condition, but it can also be caused by, for example, flat feet.
- Pain on the outside of the hip joint: This type of pain is usually not joint-related, but soft tissue-related. It can be caused by muscle fever or bursitis, for example.
- Hip pain in the pelvis: Various diseases of the hip joint often present as pain around the groin. It can be caused by, for example, cartilage degeneration, joint inflammation or nerve entrapment.
- Pain in the buttocks: Muscle fever is the most common cause of buttock pain, but it can be caused by more serious problems. For example, it is often caused by a contraction and spasm of the piriformis muscle, which is treated with a combination of drug therapy and physiotherapy. Buttock pain can also be caused by sciatica and joint inflammation.
Hip pain treatment
The way hip pain is treated depends on the disease causing it and how advanced the condition is. The therapeutic options range from rest and cartilage-strengthening medication, to hyaluronic acid injections and hip prosthesis. The treatment plan is always set by the specialist.
- Home management: At home, hip pain can be relieved by resting, icing the joint and taking cartilage-strengthening preparations. It is very important to seek medical advice as soon as possible if the symptoms worsen or do not subside within a few days.
- Treatment with medication: Pain is important because it draws attention to diseases going on in our bodies. However, we don’t have to tolerate excruciating pain. Joint pain can be relieved with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy and surgery.
- Gymnastics – physiotherapy: Physiotherapy always focuses on the patient’s problem in a personalised way. It is suitable for reducing pain, increasing range of motion, strengthening muscles. The most effective element is active gymnastics.
- Medical treatment: The specialist may recommend conservative and surgical therapy for hip pain. The former typically consists of the administration of cartilage firming agents, medications, ointments and physiotherapy. At the Budapest Musculoskeletal Private Outpatient Clinic, hyaluronic acid injections and Lipogems stem cell therapy are also available to help regenerate cartilage. If conservative treatment no longer helps, hip replacement surgery is recommended.
Which doctor should I see?
If you have hip pain, you should consult a rheumatologist or specialist in orthopedics. Both specialise in musculoskeletal conditions, i.e. pain and stiffness in the muscles, tendons, joints and bones.
Recovery time
Recovery time depends on the type and severity of the condition causing the hip pain. Muscle fever and overuse can take 1-2 days to recover. Diseases of inflammation can take a few weeks to heal. Broken bones usually heal in 6 weeks. After hip replacement surgery, lighter sports can be done 3 months after surgery, but it is recommended to wait 6 months before doing more intense exercise.
Our solutions
At Budapest Musculoskeletal Private Outpatient Clinic, we offer comprehensive treatment solutions for hip pain. Among other things, we help to cure hip pain by prescribing medication, physiotherapy, physiotherapy, hyaluronic acid injections, LIPOGEMS stem cell therapy and, in severe cases, hip replacement surgery and hip prosthesis implantation.
Our physiotherapists treating hip pain
At the Budapest Musculoskeletal Private Outpatient Clinic, the most dedicated therapists provide personalised therapy for patients with musculoskeletal complaints.
Tímea Szentpétery
Physiotherapist
Dorottya Lilla Sándor
Physiotherapist
Rita Major
Physiotherapist
Csilla Szabóné Bora
Physiotherapist
Krisztina Tatai
Physiotherapist