HIP PAIN
Hip pain can occur in the structures in and around the hip such as muscles, bone, cartilage and ligaments that work to help stabilise our body and help move our legs but also hip pain can occur due to referral from other regions of the body, such as our low back and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) and testicular and pelvic floor referral. Local structural causes that are the most common causes for hip pain are gluteal tendinopathy and femoroacetabular impingement (including Cam and Pincer impingements).
Causes of Hip Pain
Gluteal Tendinopathy
Gluteal tendinopathy is a non-traumatic cause of hip pain. It presents with pain over the lateral hip and is due to overuse and abnormal loading of the tendons of gluteus medius and gluteus minimus where they insert onto the greater trochanter of the femur. These two muscles are important for the stability of our hip when we walk and put weight through each leg. Gluteal tendinopathy can gradually occur over time and can happen in athletes or those who do limited physical activity but more common in women between the ages of 40 to 60.
Femoracetabular Impingement
Femoracetabular Impingement (FAI) is caused by a structural bony abnormality of the two bony articular structures of the hip and due to the abnormal shape, the bones of the hip rub together creating pain and damage the hip joint. The first type of FIA is called a Cam impingement, this is when the head of the femur (the part of the femur inside the hip joint) is not smooth and round, so on movement the head of the rough femoral rubs against the cartilage inside the hip joint and pain often means there is damage to the cartilage inside the hip socket. The second type of FAI is called a pincer impingement, this type occurs when the acetabulum (the hip socket) extends out further than normal, this can crush the articular cartilage (the labrum) inside the acetabulum when the femur moves during leg movements. Finally, the third type of FIA is a combination impingement of both cam and pincer type impingements.
These conditions can be painful to live with and can greatly impact our quality of life if left untreated and has the potential lead to further complications down the road such as hip osteoarthritis and labral tears, however, these conditions are easily identified by physiotherapists and there are many techniques that can be used to restore hip range of motion, improving loading and reduce pain. If you are suffering with hip pain, come in and see our friendly physiotherapists today!
Call us on 07 3706 3407 or email info@articulatephysiotherapy.com.au for a booking or to see if our exercise programs might be right for you!
Causes of Hip Pain
Gluteal Tendinopathy
Gluteal tendinopathy is a non-traumatic cause of hip pain. It presents with pain over the lateral hip and is due to overuse and abnormal loading of the tendons of gluteus medius and gluteus minimus where they insert onto the greater trochanter of the femur. These two muscles are important for the stability of our hip when we walk and put weight through each leg. Gluteal tendinopathy can gradually occur over time and can happen in athletes or those who do limited physical activity but more common in women between the ages of 40 to 60.
Femoracetabular Impingement
Femoracetabular Impingement (FAI) is caused by a structural bony abnormality of the two bony articular structures of the hip and due to the abnormal shape, the bones of the hip rub together creating pain and damage the hip joint. The first type of FIA is called a Cam impingement, this is when the head of the femur (the part of the femur inside the hip joint) is not smooth and round, so on movement the head of the rough femoral rubs against the cartilage inside the hip joint and pain often means there is damage to the cartilage inside the hip socket. The second type of FAI is called a pincer impingement, this type occurs when the acetabulum (the hip socket) extends out further than normal, this can crush the articular cartilage (the labrum) inside the acetabulum when the femur moves during leg movements. Finally, the third type of FIA is a combination impingement of both cam and pincer type impingements.
These conditions can be painful to live with and can greatly impact our quality of life if left untreated and has the potential lead to further complications down the road such as hip osteoarthritis and labral tears, however, these conditions are easily identified by physiotherapists and there are many techniques that can be used to restore hip range of motion, improving loading and reduce pain. If you are suffering with hip pain, come in and see our friendly physiotherapists today!
Call us on 07 3706 3407 or email info@articulatephysiotherapy.com.au for a booking or to see if our exercise programs might be right for you!