Hip pain is as common as heartburn, and almost everyone can experience it. What causes hip pain? There are quite a few causes, with quite a few treatments. Arthritis, tendonitis, muscle strains, and osteonecrosis are just a few causes-with adults, that is. In children, developmental dysplasia and leg-calve-perthes disease could be a reason for that nagging hip pain. How can it be stopped? There are treatments available for most problems.
Arthritis usually affects persons over 50 years old, and is most common in overweight people. Losing weight can take the pressure away from the hip. Hip surgery, physical therapy, and joint supplements are all common treatments for arthritis.
When the tendons surrounding the hip joint become inflamed and irritated, the most likely problem is tendonitis. Tendonitis is caused by overuse and age. When injured after exercise, ice helps. Physical therapy, cortisone injections, and anti-inflammatory medications are all treatments to help with tendonitis.
Osteonecrosis is caused by lack of blood flow to a certain bone. When there is no blood flow, cells die and the bone may collapse. Anti-inflammatory medications, bone grafts, hip decompression, or hip resurfacing surgery are all common treatments for Osteonecrosis.
Muscle strains, such as pulling the groin or hamstring strains, are caused by pulling a muscle or stretching it too far. Muscle is connected to tendon, which is in turn connected to the bone itself. The treatment for a strain is simple- ‘RICE’. Rest, plenty of ice on the strain, keep it compressed by using an ace bandage, and keep it elevated.
When a hip is dislocated during infancy, it may not grow properly and can cause early arthritis. This is called developmental dysplasia and can be fixed by using the Pavlik harness or a spica cast.
Perthes disease is similar to Osteonecrosis, only it takes place during childhood. Treatment usually requires relief medication and maintaining hip motion.

Arthritis, tendonitis, Osteonecrosis, muscle strains, dysplasia and perthes disease are only a few problems concerning hip pain. There are thousands more, and nearly all of them are caused by overuse. The best way to avoid hip pain completely is to know your limits.

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