Hip Pain Causes – Etiology Of Painful Hips
Main Reasons For Pain In Hips
There are five main causes for hip pain. Osteoarthritis, the main reason for painful hips causes degeneration or wearing down of the articular cartilage. The end result is progressive erosion of the joint surface making the movements and weight bearing painful. This pain of the hip joint is usually localized in the groin, thighs and the knees. There even may be low back pain. The joint is not able to move in al planes of movement. It becomes disabling to the extent that a person has difficulty even in tying shoelaces.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes degeneration of the joint as well, resulting in pain and disability of the joint. Avascular necrosis, as the name suggests is caused by decreased blood supply to the joint, specifically head of the femur. The absence of blood supply causes death of the affected bone tissue leading to collapse of the femoral head. Researchers have enumerated many causes for reduction in blood supply to the hip joint. Some of these are use of corticosteroids, alcohol dependence, certain disorders of fat metabolism, nitrogen embolism, etc. in cases where the condition does not heal spontaneously or has not been treated, may lead to wearing down of the joint.
Other Causes Of Hip Pain & Degeneration
Dislocation and fracture around the joint, as a result of trauma to the joint may be a contributing factor in degeneration of joint. This is most common in elderly group having weak bones that gets easily fractured. Other hip pain causes include developmental dysplasia of the hip. It is a congenital deformity and may range from a minor dislodgment of the ball out of the socket to a complete dislocation of the ball out of the socket which may be severe. Developmental dysplasias should be treated early in life in order to prevent subsequent degeneration.
Next > Hip Pain Symptoms
Quick Find
