Swelling or stiffness in hip – Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Causes:

• Osteoarthritis: A common cause of hip pain and stiffness, especially in older adults. It involves the breakdown of cartilage in the hip joint.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune disease causing joint inflammation, often affecting multiple joints, including the hips.
• Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae (fluid-filled sacs) around the hip joint can cause pain and swelling.
• Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons surrounding the hip, such as the iliopsoas tendon or the gluteal tendons.
• Muscle Strain/Tear: Strains or tears in the muscles surrounding the hip, such as the hip flexors or the gluteal muscles.
• Fractures: Hip fractures are a common injury, especially in older adults with osteoporosis.
• Labral Tear: A tear in the labrum (cartilage rim) of the hip socket can cause pain, clicking, and stiffness.
• Avascular Necrosis: A condition where blood supply to the hip bone is disrupted, leading to bone death and pain.
• Infections: Septic arthritis (infection in the hip joint) can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Diagnosis:

• Physical Exam: Assessing range of motion, tenderness, swelling, and gait.
• Patient History: Gathering information about the onset, duration, nature of the pain, any injuries, other medical conditions, and medications.
• Imaging:
  • X-rays: To evaluate for fractures, arthritis, or other bone abnormalities.
  • MRI: May be used to visualize soft tissues like ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and the labrum.
  • CT Scan: Sometimes used for more detailed evaluation of complex fractures.

Treatment:

• Rest: Avoiding activities that aggravate the hip.
• Pain Relief: Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication.
• Ice/Heat: Applying ice or heat to the affected area.
• Physical Therapy: Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
• Assistive Devices: Crutches, walkers, or canes may be used to reduce weight bearing on the hip.
• Injections: Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation in some cases.
• Surgery: May be necessary in some cases, such as for hip fractures, severe arthritis, labral tears, or avascular necrosis.

Important Considerations:

• Consult a healthcare professional for persistent or severe hip pain, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like fever, redness, warmth, or difficulty bearing weight.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent further damage and improve outcomes. Don’t delay seeking medical advice for hip pain.
• If you experience sudden, severe hip pain after a fall or injury, seek immediate medical attention. This could be a sign of a hip fracture.