Inflammation

Hip pain can originate from both the hip joint surfaces, and the structures and ligaments surrounding the joint. Within the joint itself, there is limited space for the femoral head to move in the socket of the acetabulum. If an injury or illness triggers inflammation, this space can become easily filled with fluid or blood (swelling), causing pain. Inflammation of the sac outside of the hip (bursa) can also be the source of pain; bursitis is often caused by minor trauma or overuse.

Osteoarthritis and Inflammatory Diseases

Among older adults, osteoarthritis is a common cause of hip pain. It involves a cycle of progressive cartilage loss and joint degeneration. Although this degenerative disease has no real “cure”, there are ways to slow its progression and prevent symptoms from worsening.  Other genetic types of inflammatory arthritis can also cause hip pain like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or inflammation of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis).

Overuse Injuries/Repetitive Strain

Routine daily activities that place stress on the hip can also cause inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding the hip. This type of pain can develop gradually over time, and can develop into osteoarthritis.

Trauma

Fractures and dislocations of the hip or pelvis are easier to diagnose since they frequently result from direct trauma and can be detected with an X-ray. In elderly patients, a combination of aging, brittle bones, and poor balance, makes them susceptible to falls and hip fractures. Even if no bones actually break, the ligaments and muscles in the hip area can be strained, sprained, or bruised by direct trauma, and these injuries can still cause significant pain.

Strain/Sprain

A strain of a muscle or tendon and a sprain of a ligament or capsule, can be from the hip or the thigh.  They can be caused when they are overstretched or over-contracted.  X-rays are not usually required and should respond well to myofasical therapy and exercise advice.  

Hypermobility

The hip is a stable joint and if laxity is present it can be difficult to demonstrate in a clinical setting.  Most commonly there isn't usually one event that has caused this but can be a history of repetitive events. 

In Children and Adolescents 

Hip pain in children usually requires further investigation and we would always recommend contacting your local GP or Chiropractor for further advice. It could be an issue with the way the hips are growing/forming, something they were born with (congenital), or commonly due to overuse in sports. 

For home stretches for your hip feel free to visit our page for downloadable information sheets with examples. If you haven't already done so, please consult a chiropractor or physical therapist before attempting the stretches and exercises.

http://www.thewhitchurchclinic.co.uk/chiropractic/exercise-sheets/

If these exercises aggravate your pain please stop the exercises and contact the clinic for further advice.

Multiple studies have found that chiropractic adjustments are effective in relieving sciatica, a common cause of pain in the hip and lower back.  In a study comparing the efficacy of chiropractic to surgery for sciatica, 60% of chiropractic patients with severe sciatica had substantially improved symptoms that enabled them to avoid surgery.¹  

Cases studies have also suggested that chiropractic can relieve pain associated with sacroiliac joint dysfunction and Piriformis syndrome, which both frequently result in hip pain.^2-3

Some patients with hip osteoarthritis (HOA) have also benefited from chiropractic care. In one study, 83% of HOA patients improved within nine visits to a chiropractor. Treatment included axial manipulation of the hip, stretching, and full kinetic chain treatment (manipulative therapy to the spine, knee, ankle, or foot when appropriate).⁴

A study carried out on a 70 year old female with left hip pain, a history of repetitive falls, poor balance, myofasical dysfunction and hip osteoarthritis received 12 weeks of Chiropractic treatment.  After the 12 week course of Chiropractic care the patient who had increased range of motion, improved balance and gait speed, and decreased disability.⁵

In a recent study of patients with hip osteoarthritis, Danish researchers compared the effectiveness of patient education with chiropractic treatment; patient education without chiropractic treatment; and patients with minimal controlled intervention involving a home base stretching program.  76% of the education with chiropractic treatment patients reported improvement; compared to just 22% of the patient education only group, and 12% of the home-based stretching group. The chiropractic group was also significantly less likely to have hip replacement surgery within 12 months of the study.6 

As with any new symptoms it is always important to visit your GP or Chiropractor to rule out any other disorders before reaching a diagnosis yourself.

1. McMorland G, Suter E, Casha S, du Plessis SJ, Hurlbert RJ. Manipulation or microdiskectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2010; 33(8): 576-584.

2. Chapman C, Bakkum BW. Chiropractic management of a US Army veteran with low back pain and piriformis syndrome complicated by an anatomical anomaly of the piriformis muscle: a case study. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine 2012; 11(1): 24-9.

3. Kamali, Fahimeh and Esmaeil Shokri. The effect of two manipulative therapy techniques and their outcome in patients with sacroiliac joint syndrome. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2012; 16: 29-35.

4. Brantingham JW, Globe GA, Cassa TK, et al. A single-group pretest posttest design using full kinetic chain manipulative therapy with rehabilitation in the treatment of 18 patients with hip osteoarthritis. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapy 2012; 33(6): 445-57.

5.Strunk, R and Hanses, M. Chiropractic care of a 70 year old female patient with hip osteoartritis. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2011; 10(1): 54-59.

6.Poulsen E, Hartvigsen J, et al. Patient education with or without manual therapy compared to a control group in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip- A proof of principle three-arm parallel group randomized clinical trial. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2013; 21:145.