Hip pain when walking: causes and treatment methods

When walking, pain in the hip joint occurs extremely rarely due to natural causes. Usually their appearance indicates a developing pathology - arthritis, arthrosis, gout. At the initial stage, these diseases respond well to conservative therapy. Therefore, even mild discomfort in the hip area when moving should be a signal for immediate medical attention.

Causes of pain

One of the physiological causes of pain in the hip joint when walking, especially when climbing stairs, is intense sports training and excessive physical activity. Lactic acid accumulates in the thigh muscles, irritating the tissue. The result is not only pain, but also an unpleasant burning sensation. All symptoms disappear without a trace after a short rest in a lying or sitting position, during which lactic acid is eliminated from the body.

But even if a relationship is discovered between the occurrence of pain and exercise, a doctor’s consultation is necessary. The fact is that increased loads often lead to the development of destructive, degenerative or inflammatory processes in the hip joint.

Systemic diseases

The group of systemic diseases includes pathologies that affect several joints, provoking the development of an inflammatory process in them. First, the cartilage is destroyed, which leads to instability of the joints, and then the bone structures are deformed. Systemic diseases are usually autoimmune. They arise due to an inadequate response of the immune system to the penetration of infectious pathogens into the body. These include:

• scleroderma;
• Still's disease;
• ankylosing spondylosis;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• rheumatic fever;
• systemic lupus erythematosus;
• polymyalgia rheumatica.

In addition to pain when walking, a variety of both articular and extra-articular symptoms occur. The skin in the affected area turns red, swells, and becomes hot to the touch. During an exacerbation, the range of movements is sharply limited. Lymph nodes may also enlarge, the functioning of the liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract may be disrupted.

Inflammatory and infectious causes of pain

Gouty, psoriatic, or reactive arthritis can provoke pain in the thigh when walking. Their leading symptoms are redness of the skin due to blood vessels overflowing, increased local temperature, stiffness, and swelling. A similar clinical picture is characteristic of other inflammatory pathologies affecting the hip joint:

• bursitis - inflammation of the synovial bursa with accumulation of exudate in the joint cavity;
• synovitis is an inflammatory process in the synovium, accompanied by the accumulation of fluid;
• tendinitis or tenosynovitis - inflammation of the tendons of the joint, including those of the vagina.

Infectious arthritis is especially difficult. It develops against the background of gonorrhea, syphilis, tuberculosis, brucellosis, or as a result of the introduction of staphylococci, streptococci, and E. coli into the joint. A person suffers not only from acute pain when walking - his body temperature rises sharply, chills and a feverish state occur.

Pain caused by degenerative changes

Pain in the hip when walking is the main symptom of coxarthrosis. This is a degenerative-dystrophic pathology that mainly affects middle-aged and elderly people. Coxarthrosis develops due to the destruction of cartilage and initially does not manifest itself clinically. Sometimes mild discomfort occurs, which a person attributes to muscle fatigue after physical exertion. But over the course of several years, the severity of symptoms increases:

• pain in the side of the thigh occurs not only when walking, but also at rest;
• when moving, clicks, crunching, crackling sounds are clearly heard;
• in the morning the skin over the joint is swollen and movements are constrained;
• at the final stage of development of coxarthrosis, the leg shortens and the muscles atrophy.

Hip pain may be referred. Most often, their source is intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies affected by osteochondrosis. When they are displaced, the spinal roots are pinched, which leads to acute pain in the lower back, spreading to the hip joint.

Traumatic causes

A fracture or dislocation of the hip joint occurs during a fall from a height, during a traffic accident, or a strong directed impact. The pain is so severe at the time of injury that the person loses the ability to move. As a result of a fall or injury, muscles, ligaments, and tendons are often damaged. If a large number of connective tissue fibers are injured, then the person cannot place emphasis on the foot due to pain and instability of the joint.

In case of injuries of the ligamentous-tendon apparatus of 1st or 2nd degree of severity, the victim can move. The pain soon subsides, but inflammatory edema quickly forms, and after it resolves, an extensive hematoma occurs.

Risk factors and causes of pathologies

We should start with the basics of joint structure. The hip joint is formed by the socket of the pelvic bone and the head of the femur. Cartilaginous tissue completely covers the head of the bone, providing soft gliding. A considerable part of the femoral neck still partially enters the cavity, since it is very deep.

The most obvious characteristic is injury-like damage. The neck is the narrowest part of the thigh and such an injury is very dangerous for the elderly, since bone strength is lost with age.

The most common injury to the hip joint among all possible types of fractures and injuries is a femoral neck fracture.

Other reasons are less obvious, since they provoke pathology only in combination with negative factors. This may be inflammation of the tendons, infectious types of arthritis, osteoarthritis, arthritis. Diseases not only develop, but become more complicated over time if no steps are taken towards treatment.

Degenerative changes in the surfaces of the joints occur, cartilage tissue is damaged, there is a decrease in the amount of fluid in the joints and damage to the structures around the joints.

• Remedies for pain in the hip joint - medicines and traditional medicine recipes

Diagnostic features

The primary diagnosis can be made based on an external examination of the patient and medical history. For example, a gout attack is indicated by sharp, throbbing, jerking pain and severe redness of the skin. But similar symptoms are characteristic of infectious, purulent, reactive arthritis, so the doctor prescribes the following diagnostic measures:

• radiography to detect deformation of bone structures, changes in the size of the joint space;
• MRI, CT to assess the condition of cartilage, ligaments, tendons located in the area of ​​the hip joint, nerve pathways and blood vessels;
• arthroscopy for a more detailed examination of the internal surfaces of the joint.

If an autoimmune pathology is suspected, biochemical studies are performed. The level of rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, and antinuclear antibodies is determined. The species of infectious agents is determined using bacterial culture, as is their sensitivity to antibiotics, antiviral or antimycotic agents.

Provoking infections

Infectious arthritis can cause the development of the following viruses:

• flu;
• streptococcus;
• staphylococcus

A very rapid development of the disease is observed in the above cases. Fever may develop and swelling may form in the area of ​​the affected joint.

If you touch the affected area or make any movements, severe pain may occur.

Tuberculous arthritis most often affects the joints of the pelvis and hip. At first, the patient is bothered by slight pain while walking, which radiates to the middle thigh area, to the knee. The affected area swells, and the hip itself is limited in movements in any direction as the disease progresses.

Hereditary diseases

Mostly boys from an early age can suffer from such diseases if there were problems during childbirth. The cause is complications during pregnancy, but more often a genetic disorder in the child.

Legg Calve Perthes disease is hereditary. This is one of the few diseases that only affects men; this does not affect women at all.

Pathologies are unilateral in nature; when they progress, pain is observed in the left and right hip joints.

An inherited disease can make itself felt not only in the area of ​​the hip and pelvis joint, but also in the knee area. It is best to make a timely diagnosis and start fighting the disease at an early stage.

General rules of treatment

When determining treatment tactics, the doctor takes into account the type of disease, stage and form of its course, complications that have developed, and the severity of symptoms. Almost all pathologies that manifest as pain when walking require an integrated approach. The therapy uses local and systemic medications, physiotherapeutic and massage procedures, exercise therapy, and orthopedic correction.

Drug therapy

To relieve acute pain, intramuscular or intra-articular administration of injection solutions is practiced. You can get rid of mild discomfort with the help of ointments, creams, and gels. Taking analgesics will help eliminate pain of moderate severity.

Physiotherapy

To directly relieve pain, patients are prescribed electrophoresis or ultraphonophoresis with anesthetics, analgesics, and glucocorticosteroids. These physiotherapy procedures are based on the maximum possible delivery of drugs to the joint through pulses of electric current or ultrasonic vibrations. And during the remission stage the following activities are carried out:

• magnetic therapy;
• laser therapy;
• galvanic currents;
• UHF therapy;
• shock wave therapy.

After 5-10 sessions of physiotherapy, blood circulation in the hip joint area improves, metabolism and restoration of damaged tissues are accelerated. Patients may also be recommended applications with ozokerite or paraffin, hirudotherapy, and balneotherapy.

Traditional methods and recipes

Before consulting a doctor and carrying out basic treatment, folk remedies cannot be used. They have a weak analgesic effect, which, however, will distort the clinical picture and complicate diagnosis. During the recovery period, rheumatologists and orthopedists allow the use of compresses, infusions, and rubbing to eliminate discomfort arising from hypothermia, walking long distances, and ARVI. Which folk remedies are most therapeutically effective:

• compress. In a mortar, grind fresh leaves of dandelion, coltsfoot, burdock, horseradish until pasty, add a tablespoon of honey. Apply a thick mass to the thigh, secure with film and gauze bandage, hold for about an hour;
• herbal tea from St. John's wort, oregano, thyme, elecampane, sage. Pour 0.5 teaspoon of dry plant material into a thermos, pour in 2 cups of boiling water, leave for 2 hours. Cool, strain, take 100 ml 2-3 times a day after meals.

Homemade ointment also helps to cope with painful sensations. In a mortar you need to grind 25 g of lanolin and a teaspoon of alcohol tincture of red pepper. Without ceasing to mix, add 2 drops of essential oils of juniper, thuja, rosemary and 100 g of fatty baby cream.

How to get rid of pain?

For the most part, the treatment process is directly dependent on the causes of pain, however, in all pathological conditions, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs (Movalis, Diclofenac Sodium, Ibuprofen, Nimesil) is possible.

The analgesic effect is ensured, and at the same time the level of inflammation decreases. Different pathological conditions are treated in their own way:

1. Surgeries are required for malignant process in the hip joint. The tumor must be removed followed by chemotherapy.
2. Repositioning of the bone, its realignment and immobilization for months.
3. Drainage of the bone cavity and opening are carried out in case of purulent inflammation. This is followed by antibacterial therapy (Cefoperazone, Cefazolin, Ceftriaxone, Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Levofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Moxifloxacin).
4. Regeneration drugs that improve blood circulation, for example, Pentoxifylline, restore bone tissue.
5. Tivortin is the best medication for normalizing blood flow in the limb; in combination with physiotherapy it gives good results.

The use of all painkillers is completely justified and relevant after surgery, joint replacement or metal osteosynthesis.

Arthritis treatment

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are appropriate for severe pain to relieve inflammation and reduce the pain effect:

• Xefocam;
• Nise;
• Ibuprofen;
• Ortofen.

Additionally, antibiotics, drugs to improve immunity, antiallergic drugs, and drugs that improve metabolism are prescribed.

It is forbidden to work on the problem joint; the affected limb must be at rest.

The effectiveness of treatment is predetermined by a correctly identified cause of hip arthritis.

Treatment of coxarthrosis

To treat this pathology, surgery is required, but in the early stages you can start with conservative treatment.

• to eliminate inflammatory processes and relieve pain symptoms, muscle relaxants, steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used;
• plasma lifting should be done to stimulate regenerative processes;
• chondroprotectors and vasodilators to restore cartilage tissue and activate blood supply in the problem area.

Kinesitherapy and physiotherapy are used as additional therapeutic measures. Diet correction is required.

Treatment of bursitis of the trochanteric bursa

Conservative treatment involves the following measures:

• restriction of physical activity;
• local anesthetics in combination with hormonal drugs;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• physical therapy, gymnastics, ultrasound and electrophoresis;

Compresses with calendula, sage, pine buds and plantain will not only relieve the inflammatory process, but also prevent the chronic development of pathology. These herbs have anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effects. In rare cases, doctors resort to surgery if inflammation and pain persist even after long-term conservative treatment. Removing the bursa is the only option, while the hip joint will still function fully.

Possible complications

In the absence of medical intervention, the destruction of cartilage and deformation of bone structures will continue. This will lead to complete or partial immobilization of the joint (ankylosis). In this condition, a person is able to move only with the help of crutches.

Pain in the hip joint occurs in people with chronic injuries, especially in those who underestimated the severity of the injuries and did not see a doctor. The ligaments and tendons have grown together incorrectly, so the functional activity of the hip joint has decreased significantly. In these cases, only surgical intervention will allow you to get rid of the pain.

Joint condition assessment

You can independently navigate and prepare for diagnosis using the following methods:

1. Lie down and examine the lower limb; its normal state is parallel to the median axis of the body. The leg is in a forced position when it is fractured or dislocated.
2. Determine how intense the pain is in the joint and where it comes from.
3. Actively move and rotate the joint, and then evaluate the sensations.
4. Notice if there is a clicking or popping sound in the joint during passive movements.
5. If you find it very difficult to perform any activity due to pain, you are dealing with a dislocation or fracture.

Injuries are the cause of pain

Disruption of the normal anatomical structure of the hip joint as a result of injury is a common cause of pain.

Dislocations

A fairly rare injury, characterized by severe pain, inability to flex the limb, and unnatural position of the hip. Dislocations are divided into posterior and anterior. Treatment: reduction of the joint, use of osteosynthesis techniques, use of muscle relaxants.

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Injury

The injury is accompanied by moderate pain, which intensifies with movement. Bruising is a common problem that can occur due to a blow or fall. Damage appears on the body in the form of scratches, hematomas, and tumors. The patient is prescribed rest, and a week later a course of physiotherapy is carried out.

Fracture of the femoral neck or acetabulum

Mostly older people are susceptible to injury, but a child can get injured if they have an accident or fall from a height.

Symptoms of pathology:

• acute pain;
• inability to raise the leg in an extended position.

What is hip arthritis and why does it occur in children?

Arthritis is an inflammatory process in the joints that occurs as a result of past illnesses. This is one of the most common lesions of the articular apparatus. Children are most often diagnosed with reactive and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Reasons for the development of the disease:

• Remedies for pain in the hip joint - medicines and traditional medicine recipes

• previous urogenital, pulmonary and intestinal infections caused by chlamydia, streptococci, tubercle bacilli, etc.;
• previous viral diseases (herpes, measles, mumps);
• injuries and excessive stress on the joint;
• genetic predisposition;
• poor nutrition and metabolic disorders;
• autoimmune diseases;
• frequent hypothermia;
• joint dysplasia;
• excess body weight;
• various chronic diseases;
• allergy;
• severe stress;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• bad ecology.

Arthritis of the hip joint in children appears within a month after the illness. It is characterized by rapid development and acute course.

Congenital hip problems

One of the common pathologies in children under one year of age is hip dysplasia. It is manifested by displacement of the femoral head from the acetabulum and insufficient ossification. Corrected conservatively using a Vilensky splint.

Varus deformity

The problem occurs when the angle between the epiphysis and the femoral head decreases. The normal value is 130°, an angle less than 126° is considered a defect. The disease is more often observed in boys. Its symptoms:

• shortening of a limb;
• lameness;
• incorrect positioning of the legs;
• joint pain.

Dislocation and subluxation of infants

The pathology is associated with improper formation of the joint in the fetus or birth trauma. Characterized by:

• lameness;
• crossing your knees when walking;
• muscle atrophy.

Treatment for up to 1.5 years with reduction and a functional splint is recommended.

Features of treatment of hip arthritis in children

Daily routine and nutrition

During the period of exacerbation, the baby needs to be kept in bed to ensure rest for the hip joint. Usually it is followed during the period of increased body temperature and for a month after its normalization. For successful therapy, you should review the child’s diet:

• give up fatty, salty foods, smoked foods;
• give more fruits and vegetables;
• cook lean fish, and meat only boiled;
• Make sure that the foods you eat have enough vitamins E, C and B.

It is especially important to adhere to a strict diet if you are overweight. The fight against extra pounds will reduce the load on the joint.

Drug therapy

Treatment for hip damage depends on the type of disease. For example, rheumatoid arthritis is treated with anti-inflammatory medications, and for reactive inflammation, medications are added to eliminate the infection. The most commonly used drugs are:

• for streptococcal infections, Erythromycin and Penicillin are used;
• chlamydial infection is eliminated with Vilprafen, Azithromycin;
• to relieve inflammation, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Amidopyrine are prescribed;
• if anti-inflammatory drugs are ineffective, hormonal medications are used, for example, Prednisolone;
• for severe reactive arthritis, antirheumatic drugs (Sulfasalazine, Methotrexate) are prescribed;
• chondroprotectors Rumalon and Arteparon are used to restore cartilage tissue;
• in complex therapy the biological products Etanercept and Infliximab are used;
• To increase immunity, immunomodulators Lykopid and Taktivin are used.

In case of septic inflammation, the child is hospitalized. The course of treatment with antibacterial drugs is about 3 weeks. If pus accumulates, surgery is required to flush the joint with antibiotic solutions.

Non-drug treatments

After overcoming the acute phase of the disease, physiotherapy is prescribed, which includes: