Common Sources of Hip Pain (And What We Can Do About Them)
Have you noticed a persistent discomfort in your hip? Is impaired hip mobility making it difficult for you to handle day-to-day tasks? Hip pain isn’t something you have to live with. But to resolve your pain, you’ll need to identify why you’re experiencing pain in the first place.
At Fairfield Universal Therapy, our team of musculoskeletal experts can help you determine the root cause of your hip pain. Whether it’s an underlying injury or a chronic condition like arthritis, we’ll get you the answers you need — and the relief you deserve!
Today, we want to explore some common causes of hip pain and give you some insight into how physical therapy can help. But if you’re currently dealing with hip pain, your best bet is to call us to schedule an initial consultation. Our team can give you personalized guidance to return to an active, healthy lifestyle!
Why Do My Hips Hurt? Common Hip Injuries and Conditions
Osteoarthritis (OA): If you’re an older adult, your hip pain might stem from osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage in a joint starts to degenerate. The hips are one of the more common locations for OA. Symptoms include…
- Pain in the hip and/or groin
- Stiffness in the hip joint, especially after you haven’t moved it for a while
- A sense of weakness in your legs
Hip Impingement: Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint. When the ball part of the joint pinches up against the socket part, you can develop hip impingement. It’s most common in young, active people. Watch out for…
- Pain in the hip joint and discomfort elsewhere in the general area (groin, thighs, lower back)
- Sharp stabbing pain when using your hip (i.e., squatting, running, etc)
- Symptoms that gradually develop over time
Hip Labral Tear: Your labrum is a ring of cartilage that protects your hip socket. A labral tear occurs when that cartilage tears, often due to overuse or a hip impingement. Symptoms include…
- A persistent, dull ache that feels like it comes from deep inside your hip
- Sharp, stabbing pains when using your hip
- Clicking or popping sounds when using your hip
- A feeling of instability in the hip
Hip Strain: A hip strain occurs when the muscles or tendons that support your hip joint become damaged. Your exact symptoms will vary somewhat based on the severity of the strain, but in general, you can expect…
- Pain, especially when using the affected muscle
- Swelling
- Limited range of motion
- Muscle weakness
Hip sprains can also occur, but they tend to be rare. A sprain affects the ligaments in your hip (the tissue that connects the joint). Symptoms are similar to a strain, but you might also experience a sense of the joint buckling under your weight.
What We Can Do to Address Your Hip Pain
Of course, identifying the cause of your hip pain is only the first step in addressing it. Once we know why you’re experiencing pain, we can develop a personalized treatment plan for your needs.
If you’ve suffered a hip injury, we’ll guide you through rehabilitation. Sometimes, physical therapy alone is enough to resolve the injury; other times, you may need medical intervention. Either way, here’s what you can expect:
• Drug-free pain management techniques (such as manual therapy)
• Early mobility work to help improve your range of motion
• Exercises to restore strength and stability
• Targeted balance and gait training
• Activity-specific training (especially if you’re an athlete)
If you’ve developed osteoarthritis, we can help you manage your symptoms and delay the progression of your condition. OA doesn’t have a cure, but physical therapy is considered a frontline treatment to help you avoid a total hip replacement. Your treatment plan may include…
• Manual therapy to help reduce pain and improve mobility
• A personalized exercise program to help you stay active (regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage osteoarthritis)
• Balance and gait training to help reduce your fall risk
• Activity modifications and other strategies to help you manage discomfort throughout the day
End Your Hip Pain For Good!
No matter the reason for your hip pain, the Fairfield Universal Therapy therapists will find a solution that works for you. Call us today to schedule an appointment to get started on your journey to hip pain relief!
Recipe of the Month
Smoked Salmon, Avocado and Cucumber Bites
Fresh, light, and packed with flavor, these Smoked Salmon, Avocado, and Cucumber Bites are the perfect refreshing snack or appetizer. Each bite delivers a delicious balance of creamy, crisp, and savory goodness you’ll love.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 large avocado, peeled and pit removed
- 1/2 tbsp lime juice
- 6 oz smoked salmon
- chives, for garnish
- black pepper, for garnish
10
Cook Time
12 Bites
Servings
Instructions:
Slice the cucumber approximately 1/4-inch thick and lay flat on a serving plate. Add the avocado and lime juice to a bowl and use a fork to mash until creamy. Assemble the bites by spreading a small amount of avocado on each cucumber, then topping with a thin slice of smoked salmon. Garnish each bite with finely chopped chives and cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.
You Have the Choice Where You Go for PT, so Choose Universal!
Spring Is Running Season! Are You In Your Best Shape?
Are you looking forward to starting running again after a long winter? At Fairfield Universal Therapy, our therapists understand running injuries, and we will make sure you run pain-free this spring!
Runners are often misled into believing unproven solutions to avoiding pain and injury. Not many people know that the number-one risk factor for runners to sustain an injury is having had an injury in the last 12 months.
The other most common risk factors are:
- Running experience of 0–2 years
- Restarting running after extended rest
- Overtraining (i.e., more than 40 miles per week)
To ensure you can get back to running or increasing your mileage without pain or injury, start with an injury evaluation and a biomechanical assessment to identify any factors that could contribute to pain or injury.
Our therapists will take a thorough history to understand your training schedule, previous injuries, and overall health status. We use this information to create an individualized program to alleviate pain and get you back to running without limits.
April Word Scramble
olofs
rwhesso
sutpli
aiprodsnr
tlaeacprilr
angrde
Answer Key
fools
showers
tulips
raindrops
caterpillar
garden
Exercise to Do at Home
CLAMSHELLS (EXERCISE BAND)
Lie on your side with your knees bent and feet together. Position an exercise band above your knees. The side you want to exercise should be on top. While keeping your feet together, lift your top knee away from your bottom knee. Slowly return to the starting position. (Materials needed: exercise band)
3 Sets, 10 Reps.
