Hip popping and pain can be a sign of several different conditions, ranging from minor to serious. It is important to understand the potential causes of your hip popping and pain so that you can seek appropriate treatment.
The most common causes include the following:
Bursitis
Bursitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the bursa, which are small fluid-filled sacs located near joints. It is commonly caused by overuse or injury and can be very painful. Symptoms include swelling, tenderness, redness, and warmth around the affected area.
Treatment typically involves rest, ice or heat therapy, medications to reduce inflammation, and physical therapy to improve range of motion. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the bursa if it becomes infected or inflamed.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in the tendons, the fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones. It can affect any tendon in the body, but it most commonly affects the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles.
Symptoms of tendonitis include pain when moving or stretching the affected area, tenderness around the joint, swelling, and warmth in the area. Treatment for tendonitis typically includes rest and physical therapy to strengthen muscles around the affected area.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints and surrounding tissues, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling. It can affect any joint in the body, including the hip joint. Hip pain is one of the most common symptoms of arthritis, as it can cause inflammation and stiffness in the area.
Many types of arthritis can cause hip pain, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gouty arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Treatment for hip pain due to arthritis depends on its type and severity but may include medications or physical therapy to reduce inflammation and improve mobility.
Labral Tears
Labral tears are a common source of hip pain and can be caused by a variety of activities, including sports and exercise. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the hip joint, providing stability and cushioning for the joint. When this cartilage is torn or damaged, it can cause pain and instability in the hip joint. Labral tears can also be caused by overuse, trauma, or age-related wear and tear.
Treatment for labral tears typically involves rest, physical therapy, medications, and in some cases surgery. Understanding what causes labral tears and how they are treated is important for managing hip pain effectively.
Impingement Syndrome
Impingement Syndrome is a condition that can cause hip pain and has been linked to various activities, such as running, cycling, and weightlifting. It is caused when the structures of the hip joint become narrowed or compressed, leading to increased friction and irritation. This can result in pain in the hip joint and surrounding muscles.
Treatment for impingement syndrome usually involves rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes surgery. Understanding what Impingement Syndrome is and how it relates to hip pain can help individuals find relief from their symptoms.
Other less common causes include fractures, tumors, and infections.
What To Do If Your Hip Pops or Hurts
Pain in the hips can be a sign of a serious problem, and it is important to address it right away. If your hip pops or hurts, there are certain things you can do to help reduce pain and discomfort.
Here are 6 things you can do if your hip pops or hurts:
Rest
Hip pain can be a sign of an underlying problem that might require medical attention. If you are suffering from hip pain, it is important to rest and take the time to heal. To help your body recover and reduce the pain, it is recommended that you do not walk on hard surfaces or do any heavy physical activity until your hip has healed.
Ice Therapy
If you are experiencing hip pain, it is important to ice your hip to help reduce the inflammation and swelling. This can also help reduce pain and numbness. You should use an ice pack for 10-15 minutes every hour or two during the day. This will need to continue until your pain improves.
Strengthening Exercises
It is important to do strengthening exercises that isolate the muscles around the hip area to make sure no muscle imbalance or weakness is causing your discomfort.
These exercises include squats, lunges, and calf raises as well as stretching specific muscles like the piriformis, iliacus, and tensor fascia lata. These exercises will also help stop your body from compensating and overusing the muscles that are already weak around the hip area.
Take Medicines
Take ibuprofen, or talk to your doctor about using a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief if ibuprofen isn't appropriate for you if you have an injury or pain in your hip, ibuprofen can be an effective way to provide pain relief and take the edge off of the discomfort.
However, ibuprofen can also be a stomach irritant, so ibuprofen shouldn't be used if you have ulcers or heartburn. Acetaminophen is a safe alternative that has fewer side effects than ibuprofen.
Avoid Any Movements
If you're already experiencing pain, try changing up the exercise or position to something less strenuous or even rest for a bit before trying again later on. Keep these tips in mind when moving around, whether it's walking upstairs, carrying groceries, or doing light stretches and exercises in bed at night!
See a Chiropractor!
Stop what you're doing and go see a specialist! Sometimes, the best action to take is to go see a doctor. Certain injuries may require surgery. If pain persists without any other symptoms, it's always best to speak with your hip doctor about the problem.
Knowing what is causing your hip popping and pain will help you get the right treatment so that you can reduce your discomfort and improve your mobility.
At Peak Potential Family Chiropractic, we strive to provide comprehensive, quality chiropractic care to our patients. Our mission is to facilitate natural healing through the science of chiropractic by restoring balance and function in the spine and body. We are committed to promoting health and well-being within our community by providing safe and effective treatments tailored to each individual's needs.
Our highly trained staff is knowledgeable in the latest techniques and treatments using the most advanced technology available today. Whether you're looking for relief from hip pain or just want to improve your overall health, we are here to help!
