Hip pain

Overview of Hip pain

• Generally, The hip is best evaluated by observing the patient’s gait also assessing range of motion.
• Moreover, The vast majority of patients reporting “hip pain” localize their pain unilaterally to the posterior gluteal musculature Such pain tends to radiate down the posterolateral aspect of the thigh also may or may not be associated with complaints of low back pain.[1]
• Lastly, this presentation frequently results from degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine or disks also commonly follows a dermatomal distribution with involvement of nerve roots between L4 and S1.[1]

Causes of Hip pain

These are some of the conditions that commonly cause hip pain:

1. Arthritis-

• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are among the most common causes, especially in older adults.
• Arthritis leads to inflammation of the hip joint and the breakdown of the cartilage that cushions your hip bones.
• The pain gradually gets worse. People with arthritis also feel stiffness and have reduced range of motion in the hip.

2. Hip fractures

• With age, the bones can become weak and brittle.
• Weakened bones are more likely to break during a fall.

3. Bursitis

• Bursae are sacs of liquid found between tissues such as bone, muscles, and tendons.
• They ease the friction from these tissues rubbing together. When bursae get inflamed, they can cause pain.
• Inflammation of bursae is usually due to repetitive activities that overwork or irritate the hip joint.

4. Tendinitis

• Tendons are the thick bands of tissue that attach bones to muscles.
• Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of the tendons. It’s usually caused by repetitive stress from overuse.

5. Muscle or tendon strain-

• Repeated activities can put strain on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the hips.
• When they become inflamed due to overuse, they can cause pain and prevent the hip from working normally. [2]

6. Osteonecrosis of the hip

Pathophysiology of Hip pain

• Some individuals instead localize their “hip pain” laterally to the area overlying the trochanteric bursa.
• Because of the depth of this bursa, swelling and warmth are usually absent. Diagnosis of trochanteric bursitis or enthesitis can be confirmed by inducing point tenderness over the trochanteric bursa.[1]
• Gluteal and trochanteric pain are common findings in fibromyalgia.
• Range of movement may be limited by it.
• Pain is less common and tends to be located anteriorly, over the inguinal ligament; it may radiate medially to the groin. [1]

Sign & Symptoms of Hip pain

Depending on the condition that’s causing your hip pain, you might feel the discomfort in your i.e.:

• Range of movement may be limited by pain
• Thigh
• Inside and outside hip joint
• Groin
• Buttocks

Sometimes pain from other areas of the body, such as the back or groin (from a hernia), can radiate to the hip.

You might notice that your pain gets worse with activity, especially if it’s caused by arthritis. Along with the pain, you might have reduced range of motion. Some people develop a limp from persistent hip pain. [2]

Investigation of Hip pain

Additional evaluation is indicated with:

(1) Monoarticular conditions

(2) Traumatic or inflammatory conditions

(3) The presence of neurologic findings

(4) Systemic manifestations

(5) Chronic symptoms (>6 weeks) and a lack of response to symptomatic measures.

Diagnosis of Hip pain

• The vast majority of musculoskeletal disorders can be easily diagnosed by a complete history and physical examination.
• An additional objective of the initial encounter is to determine whether additional investigations or immediate therapy is required. [1]

Treatment of Hip pain

• If your hip pain is caused by a muscle or tendon strain, osteoarthritis, or tendinitis, you can usually relieve it with an over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
• Rheumatoid arthritis treatments so include prescription anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate and sulfasalazine, and biologics, which target the immune system.
• Another way to relieve hip pain is by holding ice to the area for about 15 minutes a few times a day. Try to rest the affected joint as much as possible until you feel better. You may also try heating the area. A warm bath or shower can help ready your muscle for stretching exercises that can lessen pain.
• People who experience hip pain or discomfort for more than an hour following these exercises should reduce the number of repetitions accordingly.
• Knee lift
• External hip rotation
• Double hip rotation
• Hip and lower back stretch
• Hip flexion
• Hip extension
• Hip abduction
• Heel-to-buttock exercise
• Mini squa.
• Short-arc quadriceps exercise [2]

Homeopathic Treatment of Hip pain

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis.

which includes

• The medical history of the patient,
• Physical and mental constitution,
• Family history,
• Presenting symptoms,
• Underlying pathology,
• Possible causative factors etc.

A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions.

What Homoeopathic doctors do?

A homeopathy doctor tries to treat more than just the presenting symptoms. The focus is usually on what caused the disease condition? Why ‘this patient’ is sick ‘this way’?.

The disease diagnosis is important but in homeopathy, the cause of disease not just probed to the level of bacteria and viruses. Other factors like mental, emotional and physical stress that could predispose a person to illness also looked for. No a days, even modern medicine also considers a large number of diseases as psychosomatic. The correct homeopathy remedy tries to correct this disease predisposition.

The focus is not on curing the disease but to cure the person who is sick, to restore the health. If a disease pathology not very advanced, homeopathy remedies do give a hope for cure but even in incurable cases, the quality of life can greatly improved with homeopathic medicines.

Homeopathic Medicines:

The homeopathic remedies (medicines) given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the homeopathy treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each homeopathic remedy may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications also taken into account for selecting a remedy.

Homoeopathic medicines:

Bryonia Alba –

• Basically, Bryonia Alba is a natural, safe homeopathic medicine for hip pain that gets worse from the slightest motion.
• There is cracking in the hip joint upon walking, also pain may extend down to the knee.
• It may be aching, cramping or bruised type. In some cases, a knife-like stitching type of pain also recommends the use of this remedy.
• The person needing Bryonia Alba may get relief especially from warm applications.
• In cases of sciatica where the pain is worse from motion on the other hand, better from lying on the affected side, Bryonia yields wonderful results.

Rhus Tox – 

• Rhus Tox a majorly indicate homeopathic medicine for hip pain that is attended with stiffness.
• In detail, the pain and stiffness from the hip may extend down the back of the thigh.
• Other symptoms include crackling pains, worsening during rest, or lying on affected side, intensified pain after rising after prolonged sitting, worsening especially from cold and relief from warmth.
• It worsening from every change of weather also treat well with Rhus Tox.
• In addition to these, it a top list homeopathic medicine for hip pain arising from either overstraining or overstretching muscles.
• It also frequently recommend for hip pain arising from injuries, inflammation and that of rheumatic origin.

Ruta Graveolens – 

• Ruta Graveolens is a natural homeopathic medicine for hip pain from inflamed tendons.
• The key feature to use Ruta Graveolens is it gets worse from stretching the leg.
• The hip feels very sore and bruised, and bending down becomes difficult.
• Ruta Graveolens also helps reduce the inflammation of tendons, soreness.

Causticum – 

• Causticum offers a natural cure for hip pain present on the left side.
• The nature of pain for using Causticum may be aching, tearing or stitching type.
• Lying on the affected hip region worsens it.
• It also gets worse when the person begins to move or while walking.
• In some cases, a drawing or tearing pain in the thighs may also be present along with hip pain.

Ledum Pal – 

• Ledum Pal is an effective homeopathic medicine for hip pain present on the right side.
• The pain in right hip tends to get worse from motion. The heat of the bed also worsens the pain.
• Pain gets worse from prolonged standing, as well as it occurs due to gout.

Colocynthis – 

• Colocynthis is a natural medicine for hip pain that results from sciatica.
• The pain radiates down the lower limb.
• The nature of pain may be cramping, drawing, or tearing type.
• Sometimes it can be shooting or lightning like in nature. Walking worsens the pain and taking rest brings relief.
• Applying pressure also brings relief from it in cases requiring Colocynthis.

Aesculus Hippocastanum – 

• Aesculus Hippocastanum is a natural homeopathic medicine for hip joint pain that arises from arthritis or some degenerative process.
• The guiding feature to use Aesculus Hippocastanum includes a pain that is worse from walking or stooping.
• Soreness and lameness are also present in the hip.
• Along with it, lower back pain and stiffness may also be present. [3]

Diet & Regimen:

Exercise, weight loss, and medication aren’t the only ways to alleviate hip pain. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids are great for joint health, as they are known to reduce inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in i.e.:

• Cold-water, fatty fish like salmon, herring, anchovies, mackerel, sardines, also tuna
• Some plant and nut oils like olive, canola, and flaxseed
• Leafy green vegetable e.g. broccoli and lettuce
• Walnuts also pecans
• Flaxseeds
• Nuts also seeds
• Brassica vegetables
• Colourful fruits
• Lentils also beans
• Garlic and root vegetables
• Dark chocolate

If you aren’t able to get enough omega-3 fatty acids through the foods in your diet, take fish oil supplements. [4]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hip pain?

Hip pain is the sensation of discomfort in or around the hip joint, where the upper end (head) of the thigh bone (femur) fits into the socket of the hip bone.

Homeopathic Medicines used by Homeopathic Doctors in treatment of Hip pain?

• Bryonia Alba
• Rhus Tox
• Ruta Graveolens
• Causticum
• Ledum Pal
• Colocynthis
• Aesculus

What causes Hip pain?

• Arthritis
• Hip fractures
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis
• Muscle or tendon strain
• Osteonecrosis of the hip

What are the symptoms of Hip pain?

• Range of movement may be limited by pain
• Thigh
• Inside and outside hip joint
• Groin
• Buttocks