You may experience hip pain as a result of injury (traumatic pain) or illness (nontraumatic pain). This article will focus on typical nontraumatic sources of hip pain.
• The role of the synovium
• Typical contributors to nontraumatic pain
• Expert help to stop suffering
The role of the synovium
Hip joint pain can arise from numerous illnesses. Any condition that leads to inflammation, such as osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, can cause the hips to hurt.
We can better understand how it operates by looking at the synovium.
“The synovium is a lining tissue that covers those parts of the hip joint not covered by cartilage,” explains Wisconsin emergency clinician Benjamin Wedro, MD. “Synovitis …, [which is] inflammation of this lining tissue, causes fluid to leak into the joint, resulting in swelling and pain.”
Typical contributors to nontraumatic pain
Here are common conditions that can affect the hips and require chronic pain relief.
Arthritis
For those older than 50, osteoarthritis is the #1 reason why someone might experience hip pain. However, other forms of arthritis are associated with joint pain as well, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
You may also experience pain in your hips because of systemic diseases, such as sickle cell disease. When you suffer from that disease, you can experience severe hip inflammation and pain during a sickle cell crisis – which in turn is often triggered by dehydration.
Bacteria and viruses can bring about swelling and hip joint pain. Common infections include those accompanying food poisoning, Reiter’s syndrome, and Lyme disease.
One type of hip pain is actually a side-effect of certain pharmaceutical medications. If you used prednisone or other corticosteroid medications (sometimes prescribed for arthritis) for a significant timespan, the head of your femur can become deprived of circulation and atrophy in a condition called avascular necrosis. The same condition in children, unrelated to prednisone, is called Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.
You may also experience hip pain in conjunction with fibromyalgia.
“Fibromyalgia is a systemic pain syndrome associated with pain and stiffness that can cause significant discomfort throughout the body,” explained Dr. Wedro. “There may be associated sleep disorders, muscle cramps and spasms, tenderness of a variety of muscle groups in the whole body, and fatigue.”
Referred pain
Hip pain can also be referred from other parts of the body
Expert help to stop suffering
Do you need chronic pain relief for your hips? You can see above that the possible causes of pain are numerous. Treating your condition can be complex as well, and it requires an accurate diagnosis.
At Atlanta Medical Clinic, we evaluate the entire body, environmental factors, diet, and physical history to prevent misdiagnosis and carefully create a plan that fits your condition.