Hip Doctor in Charlotte, NC

What Are Hip Disorders?

Hip disorders are conditions that affect the hip joint. The hip joint allows the thigh to move in different directions. It also allows the hips to support the weight of the body.

You don’t have to live with hip pain. For patients in the Charlotte area, the pain management specialists at Pain Clinic of North Carolina are here to help. Our pain management physicians are board-certified and can help you find the source of your hip pain and create a plan of attack for pain relief. Contact us today to schedule an appointment in Statesville, Shelby, or Huntersville.

A Closer Look at Your Hip

Your hip is the joint where your femur (thigh bone) meets your pelvis (hip bone). This is called a ball-and-socket joint, because the ball at the end of your thigh bone fits into your socket in your hip bone. This gives you a wide range of motion and stability, but there are many issues that can arise.

There are some hip disorders present at birth, while others worsen as you age. Some conditions can develop due to running, sports, overuse, or a sudden fall or injury. Many issues are due to old age, as your bones tend to weaken and become brittle over time.

What Are Common Hip Conditions?

Some common disorders of the hip include:

Arthritis – Arthritis is the most common cause of the breakdown of hip tissue. Three kinds of arthritis commonly affect the hip:

• Osteoarthritis – The wear and tear of the cartilage that cushions the bones of the hip wearing away, letting the bones then rub together, causing hip pain and stiffness. This is common as we age.
• Rheumatoid arthritis – An inflammatory and autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the thin membrane that lines the joints.
• Traumatic arthritis – Often the result of an injury or fracture.

Osteoporosis – Causes weak bones that break easily. May lead to hip fractures.

Strains – A hip strain occurs when one of the muscles supporting the hip joint is stretched beyond its limit or torn. Strains may be mild, moderate, or severe.

Bursitis – This occurs when the the fluid-filled sac (bursa) in the joint becomes inflamed and you may feel pain or stiffness. Each bursa functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues.

• Trochanteric Bursitis -The most commonly injured bursta, located at the outward curve of the femur (thighbone) where it meets the hip bone.
• Iliopsoas Bursitis – The bursa in the upper buttock area.

Dislocations – Dislocations are joint injuries that force the ends of your bones out of position. Hip dislocation is a painful event in which the ball joint of your hip comes out of its socket.

Fractures or Brakes – A hip fracture happens when the upper part of the thighbone breaks. Older people and people with osteoporosis are more likely to break a hip.

Hip Pointer – A bruise or tear in the muscle that connects to the top of the ileum (the crest of the pelvis, just below the waist). Causes of a hip pointer may include a blow or a fall.

Hip Flexor Issues – Hip flexors are the group of muscles that help you lift your knee to your body. When the hip flexor muscles are overused, they can rip and cause pain.

Femoroacetabular impingement, or FAI – A condition where the bones of the hip are abnormally shaped. Because they do not fit together perfectly, the hip bones rub against each other and cause damage to the joint.

Hip Dysplasia – the ball at the end of the femur is loose in the hip socket and can cause hip dislocation. People who have hip dysplasia are usually born with it, but sometimes they develop it later.

What You May Be Experiencing

If you have a hip disorder, you may suffer from:

• Pain in the hip
• Limping
• Reduced movement in the hip joint
• Referred pain (may be felt in the leg)
• Muscle stiffness
• Pain in the leg when you apply weight on that leg
• Increased issues after sitting for long periods

If you have suffered from a traumatic fall or accident, you may need immediate medical attention. Many hip disorders can worsen over time, so it is wise to seek care as soon as possible.

Seeking Expert Care

Treatment varies widely, depending on the problem. Treatment for hip disorders may include rest, medicines, physical therapy or surgery, including hip replacement. We will work with you to see how we can help treat your hip condition.