Is pain on the side hip troubling you of late? There are more than one causes behind such a pain and hence, HealthHearty elaborates on those, while suggesting a few effective treatment options for the same.
Pain on the side of the hip causes great discomfort and therefore, must be treated according to the cause. Let us discuss it in detail.
Causes
Trochanteric Bursitis
Trochanteric bursitis, also known as hip bursitis, is a common cause side pain. Bursa is a sac filled with fluid, and is present in between the tendons and bones. Due to the inflammation of this fluid, the tendons rub over the bones, and this results in pain, which is called bursitis. When this happens at the hip joint, it is called hip bursitis. Due to the rubbing of the tendons with the bone, there is severe pain at the outer side of the upper thigh.
The two main causes of hip bursitis are, hip injury and post-surgical bursitis. Also, after the surgery of the hip fracture or any other hip related surgery, bursitis can occur. In addition, athletes or runners or any sportsperson involved in running can get suffer from this condition, which results in the side pain.
Hip Arthritis
Due to the wear and tear of the hip joint, there can be degeneration in the joints. The cartilage of the joint is worn out due to arthritis and the bone is exposed. Obesity is the main cause of this arthritis, along with traumatic conditions like fractures. Arthritis of the left hip can cause pain on the left side of the hip.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis results from the inflammation of the tendons, which are the structures that offer smooth, gliding motion to the joint, and due to tendonitis, the motion of the joint is very painful. Tendonitis can be age related, though, excessive exercising can also cause hip tendonitis. Iliotibial band syndrome is tendonitis in the hip joint. The iliotibial band extends from the hips to the outer side of the shin bone.
Fractures
Fractures and stress fractures in the hips, is one of the common causes of pain. Stress fracture is a result of high intensity sports, and athletes are the most common victims of these kinds of fractures. Also, injuries can be a reason for fractures, which can then result in side hip pain.
Dysfunction of Lumbar Spine
It is another cause of discomfort and pain in the side of the hip. This dysfunction further results in sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The hip flexion is affected due to the strain on the sacroiliac joint. This strain does not aid the movement of the hip joint. Herniated discs or the sciatica can be the reason for pain. Sleeping on side can cause hip pain in many cases, like, bursitis, tendonitis, arthritis, or even pregnancy.
Treatment
Thus, depending upon the cause of the side pain in the hips, the treatment is finalized. It can vary from, rest to medications, and from massage to surgery and use of steroids. Heat can also soothe the pain to a great extent. Hence, if you are experiencing any pain in the hips, it is best to consult your doctor immediately.
This was all about causes and treatment of the side hip pain. However, these causes are for your reference only, and you must consult a doctor immediately, if you experience pain, to ensure that it does not aggravate to any further complications.