I was ice skating on Saturday and all of a sudden my hip started to hurt really badly. I decided that my muscles were probably a little tired and that was all. I had to skate Sunday as well and my hip ended up feeling even worse. By Sunday night I could not flex at the hip at all. With some work I was able to flex it enough to get up stairs, but it still hurts quite a bit. Every time I think rest has worked I have to go somewhere (walking or riding my bike) and it begins to hurt again.
The pain isn’t that bad most of the time, but I definitely have decreased range of motion and it is still difficult to flex at the hip. The pain increases significantly if I try and use that leg to do anything more than walking. I almost burst into tears when I went to get up from a kneeling position and forgot to use the other leg. It almost felt as though my hip was going to pop out. Which is crazy as I am only 20 years old and fairly fit. I have had problems with my joints being to loose (I had surgery on my shoulder because I was subluxing my shoulder).
Anyone have any ideas what I did and what I can do to fix it?
Please any help would be appreciated. Thank you

Answered by: Maria/MD Health Forum.com team

A common cause of hip pain is a condition known as hip bursitis or the inflammation and irritation of the the hip’s bursa. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs near joints, they facilitate movements and decrease the friction between moving parts. The hip has two major bursae: trochanteric and ischeal, inflammation of either of the structures can cause pain and stiffness around the hip area.

Hip bursitis is commonly caused by overuse or trauma to the joint. Activities such as long-distance running involves repetitive friction of the bursa and this may lead to bursitis of the hip. Other causes of hip bursitis include: pressure from standing or sitting for a prolonged time, arthritis and bacterial infection.

A person with hip bursitis experience pain over the affected bursa. In severe cases the pain may radiate down the leg. Physical examination is considered as a very reliable tool in diagnosing hip bursitis. The doctor may also order imaging procedures such as X-ray or MRI to confirm diagnosis. The goal of treatment for bursitis is to reduce inflammation. Pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs or steroid injections may be prescribed. If the bursitis is caused by infection, the patient will be given antibiotics. The patients will also be advised to stay away from activities that may aggravate the symptoms. Hip bursitis rarely requires surgery.

Hip labral tear is another possible cause of hip pain. A labrum is rim of cartilage which surrounds the socket of ball-and-socket joints, like the ones located in the hip and shoulder. People who participate in sports or other activities that require repeated twisting or pivoting movements are at a higher risk of developing a hip labral tear. Structural abnormalities may also contribute to labral tear. Some people are born with conditions that increase the amount of friction within the hip joint, and this can increase the risk of a hip labral tear.

Diagnostic procedures such as x-ray and MRI can help in determining labral injuries and structural irregularities. Treatment plan will depend on the severity of symptoms. Some patients respond well to medications and physiotherapy sessions, while others may require surgery to correct or remove the damaged portion of the labrum.

Some conditions that affect the spinal cord may also present as hip pain. You should see your doctor at the soonest possible time because health history and physical exam are valuable tools for an accurate diagnosis. A suitable treatment plan can only be formulated once the underlying disorder is identified.

This blog entry is for your general information only. I recommend that you discuss your symptoms with your own doctor.

References:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00409
http://www.aana.org/labralhiptears.aspx
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hip-labral-tear/DS00920

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Tags: bursa, bursitis, hip, hip bursitis, hip pain, labral tear

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