In the majority of cases, hip pain is associated with degeneration of the articular cartilage layer and the development of degenerative joint deformity. But this is if we talk about patients over 45 years old. But at a younger age, completely different pathological processes can be the cause of the appearance of such a clinical symptom. And often they are directly related to the defeat of the dorsal and lumbar spine syndromes. Most of them are complications of long-term osteonecrosis if not treated appropriately.
Pain in the hip is a signal that the position of the femoral head in the articular movement is disturbed. This joint is one of the most loaded joints. It takes into account the maximum amortized load both when walking and running, and when a person stands and sits.
The tip of the femur, like the cushion of the iris, is lined with a layer of synovial cartilage. Inside the joint capsule is the synovial capsule. When compressed, cartilage tissue secretes synovial fluid, and when straightened, it reabsorbs. Thus, the simultaneous distribution of the amortized load and the protection of bone tissue from damage and cracking is achieved.
Joint fluid is produced during the action of the muscles surrounding the joint. It penetrates the joint capsule by diffusion exchange. Maintaining adequate levels and optimum viscosity of synovial fluid is key to the longevity and health of the hip.
Unfortunately, a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, the effects of trauma, excess weight and other risk factors lead to the fact that the synovial fluid becomes small or loses its physiological properties. its. This begins the process of destroying the synovial cartilage.
Bone tissue is destroyed and begins to be covered with the deposition of calcium salts - bone-forming substances. Joints lose mobility. Ankylosis and spasticity are formed. In the later stages of coxarthrosis, only a hip dilatation surgery can help. This is the most dangerous disease that can lead to disability in adulthood. In its early stages, it can be successfully treated with manual therapies.
At a young age, hip pain when walking can be caused by the damaged ligaments and tendons. If a person has even a small problem with a light spine, then he does not have an even distribution of the amortized load. As a result, there is a high mechanical load on the ligaments and tendons. They are subject to periodic micro-trauma. At these sites, cicatricial malformations are formed and gradually they begin to exert compression on adjacent nerve fibers. This causes the appearance of pain.
In middle age, hip pain can also be related to damage to the back spine. But in this case, the likelihood of a violation of blood circulation increases. The defeat of the optic nerve and optic nerve leads to the fact that the tone of the muscular wall of the blood flow is disturbed. As a result, the tissues around the hip joint, like other parts of the lower extremities, do not receive enough nutrition. The process of ischemia begins.
With a prolonged combined load on the hip joint against the background of ischemic processes, there is a risk of developing aseptic necrosis of bone tissue. This is a very dangerous disease, if delayed treatment can lead to disability in adulthood. A person who is incapacitated, requires surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
We strongly recommend that in case of any discomfort in the hip joint, to contact an orthopedist promptly. He will, if necessary, appoint a consultation with a chiropractor, neurologist or vascular surgeon.
Causes of severe pain and stiffness in the hip joint
Some potential causes of severe hip pain have 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 appear as a result of an injury - that is:
- hip fracture is a serious injury that often requires surgical intervention to restore integrity;
- hip or thigh fracture;
- dislocation or dislocation with extension of the joint capsule, accumulation of capillary blood and subsequent development of metastatic disease;
- rupture of the joint capsule;
- violation of the integrity of the joint sacs (burs);
- stretching and rupture of ligaments and tendons, including subsequent scarring.
Pain in the hip joint can be the result of a dystrophy process. They can affect both the outer soft tissue and the inner synovial membrane of the bone. Acoustic violation of the vascular wall against the background of osteonecrosis by radiography is the most common cause of destruction of tissues of the hip joint. If we add the negative effects of forced curvature of the spine due to fibromyalgia, it becomes clear that the pathology of the cartilaginous discs can lead to disability due to the destruction of the hip joint.
Note that pain and stiffness in the hip can be a sign of ankle arthritis. This disease can be post-traumatic or rheumatic. In the first case, spasticity develops first, then the range of motion gradually decreases to complete immobility. Rheumatoid arthritis is the joint form of ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, polyarthritis, etc. v.
The potential cause of hip pain is musculoskeletal problems. They develop under the influence of the following risk factors:
- overweight and obesity (every kilogram of extra weight puts a large load on all joints and spine, provoking their rapid destruction);
- maintain a sedentary lifestyle, be physically inactive and sedentary - the blood supply to the tissues of the hip is disrupted, the efficiency of synovial fluid decreases and the breakdown process beginsprotective cartilage tissues;
- smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages - alters biochemical processes, provokes sharp constriction of capillary blood vessels;
- heavy physical labor and lifting heavy weights without prior training;
- incorrect installation of flatfoot or clubfoot;
- wrong choice of shoes for everyday wear and physical education;
- violate the rules of ergonomics when arranging his sleeping and working place.
All of these risk factors must be ruled out. An experienced physician during the initial history collection will attempt to identify all alleged causes and negative predisposing factors. He will then give individual recommendations to the patient, the compliance of which will eliminate the risk of recurrence of the identified disease in the future. Therefore, be sure to follow all of your doctor's recommendations.
Which doctor should I contact for hip pain?
The answer to the question of which doctor treats hip pain largely depends on the circumstances in which that clinical symptom occurs. For example, if you have fallen, slipped, or had an accident, you must first contact a trauma doctor. This doctor will rule out the possibility of a violation of the integrity of the tissues. If necessary, all necessary support will be provided.
Then, for full rehabilitation, you should contact a chiropractor. He will develop a course of therapeutic exercises that will fully restore the functional capacity of the body's musculature after forced immobilization. This will prevent the risk of developing osteoarthritis and other serious degenerative diseases in the future.
If pain in the hip always bothers you - which doctor should you consult? We strongly recommend finding a manual therapy clinic near you. Usually there are doctors with extensive experience in working with such patients.
Unfortunately, in most city clinics it is not possible to make an appointment with a chiropractor, or this specialist deals only with the symptomatic treatment of the identified pathology. The other things. formal approach to the solution of the patient's problem.
With persistent pain, it is very important to exclude the possibility of destruction of the lumbosacral spine. Therefore, in addition to consulting a chiropractor, you may also need to see a chiropractor or neurologist. As a rule, doctors of this profile successfully practice in clinics specialized in manual therapy.
Hip pain treatment
Treatment for hip pain can only be started after an accurate diagnosis has been made. This is a clinical symptom of various pathologies. And the right course of treatment should take into account their causes.
For example, if the destruction of the cartilage inside the joint is due to muscle weakness on the background of insufficient transparency due to destruction of the discs in the lumbar spine, then the course of treatment may be approximated as follows:
- firstly, with the help of manual traction of the spine, it makes sense to restore the normal position of the vertebral bodies and remove the compressive pressure from the cartilaginous tissues and the lens nerve;
- then, with the help of massage, the doctor can eliminate the syndrome of overstretching of the muscle fibers and improve the elasticity of all soft tissues, speeding up their blood supply;
- the effect of bone and joints activates the disordered process of blood, lymphatic and interstitial microcirculation, has a positive effect on tissue nutrition, eliminates infiltrative edema of surrounding soft tissuesjoint;
- physical therapy accelerates metabolism, removes decay products, enhances the synthesis of new cells, . . . ;
- exposure to the laser stimulates the comparator processes;
- acupressure has a stimulating effect due to the impact on biological acupoints on the human body;
- Therapeutic exercise combined with movement therapy develops the musculature of the human body, initiates the process of nutritional disorders of the cartilage tissues inside the joints and in the area of the affected cartilage discs.
The course of treatment for hip pain has always been individually developed. Do not rush to take the drug without a doctor's prescription. Most of them are probably completely useless in your case. The second part of pharmacological agents can significantly accelerate the breakdown of tissue inside the hip joint.
If you have discomfort in this joint area of the bones, then in any case, be tolerant of them. An appointment with a specialist will be present. Ask for a joint X-ray, and if needed, an MRI check. For treatment, find a manual therapy clinic in your area.