What are the most important things to know about hip pain?

Anyone who has suffered hip pain has probably never forgotten it. My goal is to help you get over it.

There are 24 muscles that cross the hip joint and a lot of nerves run through there, so it can be a potentially complicated area to diagnose.

The most common areas where people experience hip pain are the front of the thigh, the groin, the outside of the hip, the hip bone area, the back of the hips or the buttocks, and deep in the hip joint.

Some of the most common issues creating this pain are:

  • Arthritis

  • Trauma or previous hip fracture

  • Bursitis – occurs when fluid filled sacs along the outside of the hip get compressed and inflamed.

  • Tendonitis, which is most commonly in the front of the hip.

  • Muscle strain

  • Labral tear, where the ring of cartilage around the femoral head rips or wears down.

  • Avascular necrosis – literally meaning “tissue death due to loss of blood supply”, usually occurs at the top of the femur.  This can happen from a fracture or prolonged use of steroids.

  • Radiating pain from inflamed or pinched nerves.

  • A hernia can also radiate pain to the hip

To get at the root of the problem, we need to know the three classifications of pain: acute, subacute and chronic.

  • Acute pain is defined as lasting 4 weeks

  • Subacute lasts 4-12 weeks

  • Chronic pain lingers 12 weeks or more.

If you’ve had hip pain for more than 4 weeks it’s time to get it addressed because at this stage it’s probably not going to go away on its own without a little help.

At Bike & Body we’re trained to figure out if you can be treated conservatively with physical therapy or if you need a greater medical workup.

Lots of doctors push medications that aren’t necessarily going to get to the root of the problem. Medication just puts a Band-Aid on it.  Or oftentimes doctors might recommend rest, which can make things worse.  As a general rule, small bouts of activity while listening to your body often will help you rehabilitate from an injury.

Doctors won’t give you any sort of physical treatment, teach you better posture, how to get stronger, or become more mobile.  Physical therapists teach people how to fix the problem, to get to the root of the problem - what’s actually causing the pain.

At Bike & Body we are here to help you alleviate pain through physical therapy for active people and those who wish to be.  We’re here to help you stay fit, healthy and mobile for the rest of your life. 

Bike & Body is a private studio dedicated to promoting WELLNESS and LONGEVITY in ACTIVE-MINDED PEOPLE through Physical Therapy and Bike Fitting.  The owner, Dr. Deb Slota, is a fully licensed Physical Therapist and Certified Bike Fitter in Milwaukee, WI. We believe in devoting our full attention and expertise to every client that walks through our door.  You will leave with an elevated sense of well-being, improved ease of movement, and the knowledge to make it last.  Whether you are battling a nagging injury, have just sustained an injury, or something just doesn't feel right, we are here to help.

To schedule a free initial consultation, get started here.

You can also download a FREE copy of Dr. Slota’s book, A Healthy Back Life, for more information about resolving pain to live your best life.

Deborah SlotaBike & Body