Other causes of hip pain
There are a range of other conditions which can also be responsible for causing pain in the hip joint.
- Avascular necrosis (AVN)
- Bursitis
- Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
- Hip sprain
- Perthes disease
- Slipped upper femoral epiphysis
- Soft tissue injury
Avascular necrosis (AVN)
Avascular necrosis is a disease where there is cellular death (necrosis) of bone components due to interruption of the blood supply. Without blood, the bone tissue dies and the bone collapses. If avascular necrosis involves the bones of a joint, it often leads to destruction of the joint articular surfaces.
Bursitis
This is the inflammation of one or more bursae (small sacs of synovial fluid) inside the joint. Healthy bursae cushion the area where muscles or tendons glide across bone. When they become inflamed, movement becomes painful and difficult. Movement of tendons and muscles over the inflamed bursae causes further aggravation, perpetuating the problem.
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
DDH is a congenital (present at birth) condition of the hip joint, occurring once in every 1,000 births. The hip joint is created as a ball and socket. In DDH the hip socket may be shallow, letting the ball of the thigh bone slip in and either partially or completely out of the socket.
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
FAI affects the hip joint in young and middle-aged adults. It can occur when the ball shaped femoral head is misshapen and doesn’t have full range of motion inside the acetabular socket, causing damage to the cartilage inside the joint.
Hip sprain
Such problems can occur where the ligaments supporting the hip joint have been stretched or torn, causing pain and restricting movement. If a muscle is overstretched or suffers a hard blow, this can cause the muscle’s tissue to tear. Old age, prior injury and failing to warm-up properly before exercise can increase the risk. Swelling and bruising are common symptoms, although there are many degrees of severity.
Perthes disease
Perthes disease is a degenerative disease of the hip joint which affects the head of the femur during childhood; it affects around 1 in every 20,000 children. The blood supply to the growth plate of the bone becomes inadequate and results in the bone softening and breaking down, a process called necrosis. This can lead to the head of the femur being deformed or flattened. The effects of the disease can continue into adulthood and cause osteoarthritis.
Slipped upper femoral epiphysis
This is a condition involving the end of the femur (thigh bone), where the epiphyseal plate (growth plate) weakens and the head of the femur (ball) slips downwards and backwards.
Soft tissue injury
This can be caused by direct or indirect trauma. Direct trauma can occur from a sporting or other type of accident; indirect trauma can arise from overuse of the tissue. Soft tissue injuries include ligament sprains, tendon strains, repetitive stress injury and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Important: The information and guidance provided here is general in nature and should not be considered as medical advice in any way. You should always seek detailed advice from a qualified medical practitioner.
