Hip injuries

Hip injuries can affect various parts of the hip joint, with some of the most common types including:

• Hip bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion your hip joints, often due to repetitive motions or prolonged pressure.
• Hip dislocation: Occurs when the head of the femur slips out of its socket, often due to a high-impact injury such as a car accident.
• Hip flexor injury: Involves damage to the muscles in the front of your hip, which are responsible for lifting your knee toward your body and bending at the waist. These injuries can occur due to overstretching, overuse or sudden movements.
• Hip fractures: Common in older adults, these breaks happen in the upper part of your thigh bone (femur) and are usually caused by falls or direct trauma.
• Hip labral tear: This involves a tear in the ring of cartilage (labrum) that follows the outside rim of your hip joint socket.
• Hip osteoarthritis: This degenerative joint disease leads to the breakdown of cartilage in the hip, causing pain and stiffness.

Risk factors for hip injuries

Several factors can increase your risk of hip injuries. For instance, you’re more susceptible to hip flexor injuries or strains if you’re an athlete or have a physically demanding job.

Other risk factors include:

• Age: Older adults are more susceptible to hip fractures and osteoarthritis due to decreased bone density, muscle loss and joint wear and tear.
• Bone density: Conditions like osteoporosis weaken bones, making fractures or injuries more likely.
• Muscle loss: Starting around age 40, you begin to lose muscle mass. Weak muscles around the hip can increase the risk of hip injuries, especially hip flexor injuries.
• Obesity: Excess weight adds stress to your joints, including the hip, potentially leading to conditions like osteoarthritis and bursitis.
• Previous injuries: A history of hip injuries can make you more prone to future injuries.

Signs of a hip injury

Hip injuries often present noticeable signs. The first indications are typically swelling, tenderness, or pain. Other common symptoms include:

• Stiffness
• Bruising
• Limping
• Popping or clicking sounds

Diagnosing hip injuries

To diagnose a hip injury, your doctor will perform a physical exam and may order imaging tests. During the physical exam, they will check your hip's range of motion, strength, and tenderness.

Imaging tests such as an X-ray, MRI and CT scan provide detailed images of the hip's bones and soft tissues, helping to identify fractures, tears, and strains.

The Thomas test for hip flexor injuries

If a hip flexor injury is suspected, your doctor might use the Thomas test to diagnose it. This test identifies tightness or hardening in the hip flexor muscles, particularly the iliopsoas muscle.

During the Thomas test, you will lie on your back with your legs hanging off the table. You'll pull one knee toward your chest while the opposite leg remains extended and hangs off the table. If the extended leg stays flat on the table with a slightly bent knee, it indicates normal hip flexor flexibility.

Can hip injuries heal on their own?

Minor hip injuries often heal with proper care and rest, but more severe injuries require medical attention to ensure proper healing and prevent complications.

• Hip flexor injury: Mild to moderate injuries usually heal with proper care. Severe cases might need physical therapy or surgery.
• Hip fractures and dislocations: These serious injuries require immediate medical attention to realign bones and stabilize the joint, often involving surgery.
• Labral tears and osteoarthritis: These conditions typically do not heal on their own. Treatment focuses on managing pain and may include physical therapy or surgery.

Ignoring hip injuries can lead to chronic pain and long-term mobility issues. Early medical attention and appropriate treatment are crucial for recovery.

Common hip injury treatments and therapies

Treatment for hip injuries depends on the type and how severe the injury is. Rest is one of the more effective treatments for hip injuries, including a hip flexor injury. Reducing or avoiding activities that aggravate the injury helps the hip to heal.

Other treatments may include:

• Orthopedic rehabilitation: Strengthening and stretching exercises improve flexibility, support and range of motion. It‘s particularly beneficial for hip flexor injuries.
• Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs may help manage pain and reduce swelling.
• Ice and heat therapy: Applying ice packs can reduce inflammation and pain, while heat therapy relaxes and loosens tissues. Heat therapy is often beneficial for hip flexor injuries or muscle strains.
• Injections: Corticosteroid injections can provide relief for severe inflammation and pain in cases like bursitis or arthritis.
• Surgery: For serious conditions such as hip fractures, labral tears or severe osteoarthritis, surgical intervention, including hip replacement surgery, may be necessary to repair or replace damaged structures.