Hip Pain

The hip joint is one the large joints of the body and serves in locomotion as the thigh moves forward and backward. The hip joint also rotates when sitting and with changes of direction when walking. Pain in the hip joint can have a variety of causes. Pain in the hip joint can be temporary or chronic. There are many causes of hip pain. The treatment of hip pain depends on its particular cause. 

What is the anatomy of the hip? 

The hip joint is where the ball of the thigh bone (femur) joins the pelvis at a socket called the acetabulum. There is cartilage covering both the bone of the femur and the acetabulum of the pelvis in the hip joint. A joint lining tissue, called synovium, surrounds the hip joint. The synovium tissue produces fluid that lubricates the joint and provides nutrients to the cartilage of the joint. The ligaments around the hip joint attach the femur bone to the bony pelvis. There are a number of muscles and tendons that glide around the hip joint. Tiny fluid-filled sacs, called bursae, provide gliding surfaces for muscles and tendons around the hip joint. Major arteries and veins pass the front of the hip joint. The largest nerve of the body, the sciatica nerve passes behind the hip joint. 

There are many causes of hip pain. Some pain is temporary, while other pain can be long-standing or chronic. Causes of hip pain include arthritis, inflammatory and noninflammatory arthritis, fracture, sprain, infectious arthritis (septic arthritis), avascular necrosis, Gaucher’s disease, sciatica, muscle strain, 

iliotibial band syndrome (IT band syndrome), and hematoma. 

* Symptoms associated with hip pain depend on the cause. Symptoms include limping, * joint pain, 

groin pain, * loss of motion of the hip, 

warmth, 

swelling over the hip, * tenderness of the hip, * difficulty sleeping on the hip. 

Symptoms vary in intensity from mild to severe. Hip pain can be a cause of disability. 

Health care professionals diagnose hip pain with a history and physical examination. Physical examination maneuvers, such as internally and externally rotating the hip, can be used to detect pain-aggravating positions. Tenderness can be elicited by palpating over inflamed areas. Straight leg raising can detect signs of sciatica. A health care professional may use imaging studies, including X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans, to further define the causes of hip-pain. Sometimes, nuclear medicine bone scans are used to image inflamed or fractured bone. 

The treatment of this pain depends on the precise cause of the pain. Treatments can include rest, non-weight bearing, cold application, and anti-inflammatory medications. For local inflammation, sometimes 

injection of cortisone medication (steroids) is used to quiet the inflammation. If infection is present, antibiotics are used. Fractures can require treatment with surgical repairs, including pinning, plates and screws, and total joint replacement. For severe arthritis, total joint replacement is performed when possible. While hip pain can occur due to injury and that may require serious medical intervention , one way to keep your muscles and tissues robust to avoid injury at first place is to take care of your health early on with light 

exercises five times a week and nutrition rich diet. In case your daily diet is deficient in essential and vital nutrients then you can take help of all natural health supplements . Be wary of synthetic ones and look for natural options with no side effects. Your chosen supplement should be able to provide you with natural immunity and nutrition for daily wear and tear of your muscles, bones , tissues and joints . 

References: https://www.medicinenet.com/ sciatica_pictures_slideshow/article.htm