Hip Pain Treatments

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint connecting the pelvis and the femur bones. Injuries to the joint may result in groin or hip pain and limited mobility. Many injuries or conditions that cause hip pain can be managed at home through the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) accompanied by chiropractic rehabilitation exercises tailored to you. If hip pain is keeping you from your chosen activities, reach out to our chiropractic team at Utah Sports and Wellness in Millcreek, Utah.

Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI)

Femoral acetabular impingement (FAI) describes a condition in which extraneous bone (called bone spurs) grows along a bone in the hip joint. This disrupts how the hip bones fit together, causing hip pain where the bones rub against each other roughly. The cause of FAI is rooted in childhood, resulting if bones do not form normally. FAI can be free of symptoms if the cartilage between the bones remains intact to cushion them, but if FAI is causing you hip pain, our chiropractors can recommend changes in activity to keep the joint from becoming irritated.

Labrum Tear

In a ball-and-socket joint, the labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the rim of the joint socket and aids in keeping the ball of the joint in place. Hip labrum can tear in the wake of athletic activity that requires a lot of twisting and lead to groin or hip pain, made worse by periods of inactivity, whether sitting or standing. Abnormal hip development can also cause the labrum to tear, and such a tear can lead to stiffness and locking in the joint or even to arthritis of the hip further down the line.

Hip Pointer

A hip pointer is a deep bruise on the iliac crest on the upper outside ridge of the pelvis. The surrounding muscles may also be bruised by the inciting incident, often a fall or a blow to the hip. Hip pointers yield hip pain and tenderness and should be treated by avoiding strenuous activity and by stretching as the bruise heals to prevent stiffness in the hip joint.

Hip Flexor Pain

The group of muscles that sit at the front of the hip are called the hip flexors. They allow you to lift your legs at the hip. If the hip flexor muscles are strained (torn or unnaturally stretched), cramping or sharp hip pain can follow. The pain is made worse by movement, like kicking or lifting the knee toward the chest, and regular functions like rising from being seated or climbing stairs can be difficult.

Bursitis

Around the major joints, fluid-filled sacs called bursa serve to cushion and reduce friction between the tissues. When one of these sacs become inflamed, it is called bursitis. The condition is generally temporary. Bursitis in the hip, also called trochanteric bursitis, can follow overuse or more serious injury or even infection. It is characterized by hip pain, restricted range of motion, focused tenderness, and swelling. Early diagnosis can reduce the risk of infection.

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) 

The greater trochanter is the widest part of the hip, located at the top of the femur in the thigh. GTPS can be caused by the trauma of a fall, overexerting the hip, or misalignment caused by muscle imbalance. The hip pain caused by GTPS is initially sharp but fades to an ache and joint stiffness. The joint can seem to click or catch with movement.

Sports Hernia

A true hernia occurs when tissue or an organ bulges through an irregular opening. A sports hernia is not a hernia at all, being instead a case of soft tissue attached to the pelvis tearing. Explosive or repetitive twisting of the pelvis can cause tendons or ligaments to tear, and severe pain in the groin results.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joints connect the lower spine and the pelvis on both sides of the spine. Dysfunction of the sacroiliac joints, also called sacroiliitis, describes the inflammation of the  sacroiliac joints, perhaps as a consequence of injury or arthritis. 

Dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint may feel similar to sciatica. Both are associated with sharp pain, tingling, and weakness in the upper legs. Consult with your chiropractor to ensure you receive a correct diagnosis. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction can also cause groin and hip pain and instability.