In the modern world of physical inactivity, pain in the hip joint extending to the leg has become common. Such painful symptoms characterize a number of pathological ailments. And, unfortunately, it has serious consequences. After all, it is this joint that senses the entire weight of the body in an upright position. Any pathology that occurs in this area provokes a restriction of mobility, and sometimes loss of performance. Sometimes, disorders in the hip joint become the main cause of disability.
Factors that provoke pain
The hip joint has significant stress. That is why the risk of wear and injury is highest. Pain in the hip joint extending to the leg develops, as a rule, due to the following factors:
- Pathology in the joint itself or muscle-ligamentous apparatus. Discomfort occurs after an injury, as a result of an inflammatory or degenerative process.
- Anatomical change in the hip joint. The pain is provoked by the incorrect location in the acetabulum of the femoral head. Such a pathology is diagnosed with hip dislocation, subluxation of both congenital and traumatic origin.
- Pathology of other systems and organs. Often the pain in the hip joint extending to the leg is manifested as a result of inflammation of the pubic and sacroiliac joints, pelvic organs, and gluteal muscles. Neurological impairment leads to such discomfort. Pain can occur with sciatic nerve neuritis, radiculitis of the lumbosacral, piriformis syndrome .
Types of pain
Hip discomfort cannot be ignored. After all, there is a risk of serious consequences. By the nature of the manifestation, pain in the hip joint is very noticeable. Symptoms can be pronounced or increase gradually. Doctors divide pain into several types:
- Sharp pain. In most cases, short-term. The patient easily determines the source of discomfort. Such pain signals a developing ailment in the body or indicates organic damage. Initially, discomfort is localized in a certain area, and only then spreads further. This kind of cure is easiest.
- Aching. This type is often connected to acute pain. It is characterized by more extensive distribution. Discomfort can increase and periodically disappear. To determine the painful area with this type of pain is quite difficult. In this regard, treatment is difficult.
- Chronic Pain that lasts more than 6 months falls into this category. This is the most difficult view in terms of treatment. Often, it is chronic pain that forces surgical intervention.
Joint diseases
If you periodically feel pain in the hip joint, there is a chance of developing one of the unpleasant pathologies of this joint. Even if the thrill does not occur, but sometimes there is discomfort with simple movements, you must consult a doctor.
Doctors have identified several of the most common diseases that, in most cases, cause discomfort in the joint. With information about their course and accompanying symptoms, you can easily determine which doctor to contact.
In this case, it is not necessary to independently cure the ailment. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a specialist.
Arthritis
The disease is most common in people aged. With this disease, pain appears in the hip joint, giving away to the leg, the groin area. Often, discomfort spreads to the front of the thigh, sometimes reaching the knee. During walking, the symptoms intensify. The same picture is observed when resting on the damaged side. It is difficult for the patient to rise from a sitting position. There is a sharp pain in the joint.
Discomfort is greatly enhanced in the morning. Physical activity reduces it. However, excessive loads increase pain several times. A person is constrained in his movements.
The method of treatment depends solely on the diagnosis. In most cases, the doctor prescribes a course of exercise therapy, anti-inflammatory and hormonal drugs.
Coxarthrosis
Such an ailment is found in middle-aged people. It is also called deforming arthrosis. The disease develops imperceptibly. At an early stage, a person feels pain in the right hip or left joint. Very rarely, discomfort occurs immediately in both joints. Pain sensations significantly increase during physical activity. When resting, they weaken.
The torment of the patient increases gradually. Severe discomfort occurs only in the last stages. It becomes painful for a person to get up, move, turn. Strong backache gives to the groin, sometimes to the knee. Since the muscles in the affected area are constantly tense, patients often feel pain in the hip joint at night.
Unfortunately, coxarthrosis in the advanced stage is practically not amenable to treatment.
Bursitis
Above the protrusion of the femur is a vertical bag. Her inflammation is called bursitis. Initially, the patient experiences aches in the buttock area. If the patient lies on the injured side, the discomfort intensifies. Other fluid bags of the above joint may be exposed to bursitis:
Tendinitis
Most athletes are affected by this disease. The disease occurs in people engaged in hard work. The defeat of ligaments significantly limits the mobility of a person. The patient hardly takes his leg away, as a sharp pain restrains his limbs. The patient has difficulty walking, if he wants to lean on his leg.
Infections
Arthritis is characterized by a rapid course. In a short time, the patient begins fever. The joint swells. The patient experiences sharp pain even when touching the affected area. A source of infectious arthritis is a variety of viral ailments:
- streptococcus;
- flu;
- staphylococcus
If the joint pain is initially mild and does not appear immediately, tuberculous arthritis may be suspected. While walking, the patient experiences unpleasant sensations that extend to the knee or middle region of the thigh. The ability to move over time is limited, swelling appears in the damaged area.
Soft tissue and bone tumors
Aching pain can signal neoplasms. It should not be forgotten that the tumor can be benign, but sometimes it is also malignant. In this case, it's difficult to talk about symptoms. The place of localization and the nature of the discomfort for each person are individual.
Characteristic signs
For a patient who has pain in the hip joint, symptoms may indicate the following:
- When discomfort is combined with fever, inflammation of other joints, or a rash, rheumatoid arthritis can be diagnosed.
- Uncertain pain that radiates to the buttock, back of the thigh, lower back, knee, can signal avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The disease is very serious. Developing fast enough. Its result is the necrosis of the head of the bone.
- If the discomfort slowly progresses, increases significantly when walking or standing for a long time, slightly modifies the gait, most likely, the cause was osteoarthritis.
- Sensations accompanied by lumbar pain extending to the knee, back of the thigh, can signal lumbosacral radiculitis.
Discomfort during pregnancy
When carrying a baby, a woman's body undergoes a restructuring. Changes are observed in the musculoskeletal system. Hormones soften the ligaments and cartilage. Pregnant body increases calcium intake. As a result, a deficiency arises, which in turn provokes loosening of bone tissue. In addition, the increasing weight of a woman creates a noticeable load on the joints.
Such factors often lead to divergence of the pubic bones. In this case, a woman may have a “duck” gait. She quite eloquently characterizes such a pregnancy.
Pain in the hip joints can be easily eliminated by anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by your doctor. As a rule, these are drugs:
- Diclofenac.
- Voltaren.
- "Indomethacin."
Medications in the form of tablets, ointments, or suppositories may be prescribed.
Diagnosis of ailments
As can be seen from the foregoing, many pathological conditions can cause pain in the aforementioned joint. That is why, in order to make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct special examinations:
- hip x-ray;
- MRI or CT;
- Dopplerography (vascular patency examination);
- biochemical, immunological, general, bacteriological analyzes;
- electromyography (examination of tendon reflexes).
Quite popular research is the x-ray of the hip joint. If necessary, an examination of the entire spine can be prescribed.
Drug therapy
It should be remembered that all medications should be prescribed by the attending physician on the basis of a thorough diagnosis. In most cases, the following drugs are included in drug therapy:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs - “Diclofenac”, “Indomethacin”, “Ibuprofen”, “Meloxicam”.
- Glucocorticosteroids - "Methylprednisolone", "Dexamethasone", "Prednisolone".
- Chondroprotectors - Chondroitin Sulfate, Glucosamine.
It should be remembered that most drugs are quite detrimental to the body, having many side effects. Therefore, these drugs should be taken only after the appointment of a doctor and under his control.
Surgical intervention
Hip replacement is a complex operation. During it, the damaged hip is replaced by an artificial joint. It is a biocompatible wear-resistant prosthesis. It consists of a concave bowl and a spherical head. The cost of a hip joint varies from 90,000 rubles to 100,000.
The purpose of such an operation is to alleviate the pain discomfort provoked by degenerative joint diseases or injuries.
In most cases, hip replacement is indicated for conditions:
- post-traumatic arthrosis;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- aseptic necrosis of the femoral head;
- degenerative dystrophic arthrosis and arthritis;
- Ankylosing spondylitis;
- dysplastic arthrosis;
- improper fusion of an intraarticular fracture;
- false joint of the femoral neck.
Today's operation is an accurate, high-tech, effective surgical intervention. As a result of which the patient again returns to his usual life, getting rid of the painful condition and limited mobility.