Inflammatory conditions
Inside the hip joint itself, the femoral head sits exceedingly snugly. This limited space means that in a healthy hip, the joint moves securely. Where there is inflammation however, possibly as a result of illness or injury, this space can start to fill with fluid. This further reduces scope for movement and pain is the result.
Osteoarthritis
As we age we can suffer from loss of cartilage and a progressive erosion of the joint. While it’s true that there is no ‘cure’ for osteoarthritis, treatments are available that can slow the condition and reduce its painfulness.
Wear and Tear!
As any fan of ballet will have heard, many professional dancers suffer from hip problems in later life and this comes from the heavy work load that dance places onto the cartilage that surrounds the hip. The same is true for any profession or activity that exerts a heavy load on the hip, its ligaments, and its muscles. This pain increases gradually over time and can be accompanied by arthritis.
Injury
Falls can have drastic effects on the hip, particularly in the elderly where conditions such as brittle-bone disease can be present. Less obvious however can be the injuries that don’t result in actual broken bones such as sprains or bruising to ligaments and muscles in the hip area.
If you experience hip pain subsequent to any type of fall then an x-ray is recommended.
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