Hip Dysfunction
Your hip is a ball and socket joint where your thigh bone meets your pelvic bone.
Common Signs & Symptoms
Pain and stiffness in your hips, buttocks, groin, which can spread into your back and thigh
Worse with standing, walking, climbing hills and stairs, sitting cross legged and prolonged sitting
Grinding, clicking or catching sensations when you move your hip
Giving way in your leg
Description
Your hip is a ball and socket joint where your thigh bone meets your pelvic bone.
The first signs of hip joint problems usually start with stiffness when you rotate or twist your hip inwards (knees pointing in). This is usually due a mixture of tightness in the ligaments, tendons and muscles as well as stiffness in your hip. There are many reasons that your hip joint can become painful or problematic:
- Joint wear and tear, possibly leading to Osteoarthritis
- Stiffness
- Muscle tightness and spasm
- Congenital conditions
- Soft tissue strains (muscles, tendons, cartilage and ligaments)
- Bone fracture
- Muscle imbalances
- Malalignment & Altered Biomechanics
- The source of pain in your hip can also come from other areas such as your back and pelvis.
Advice & Treatment
There are many reasons why you might suffer hip problems….even if an XRay shows you have degeneration in your joint, treatments such as massage therapy and physiotherapy can help to relieve your pain and get to the root of the cause.
Severe arthritis and bone injury can require surgery, but many hip problems respond extremely well to the correct stretches and exercises.
The most common conditions relevant to hip dysfunction include:
- Osteoporosis/Osteopenia
- Hip dysplasia
- Perthes, Slipped upper femoral epiphysis
- Pelvic Girdle Pain
- Lumbopelvic Dysfunction
- Muscle Imbalance (Weak Core)