COMMON HIP INJURIES AND CONCERNS

HIP LABRAL TEARS

A hip labral tear involves the ring of cartilage (labrum) that follows the outside rim of the hip joint socket. Besides cushioning the hip joint, the labrum acts like a rubber seal or gasket to help hold the ball at the top of the thighbone securely within the hip socket.

Athletes who participate in sports such as ice hockey, soccer, football, golf and ballet are at higher risk of developing hip labral tears. Structural problems of the hip also can lead to a hip labral tear.

Symptoms

Many hip labral tears cause no signs or symptoms. Some people, however, have one or more of the following:

• Pain in the hip or groin, often made worse by long periods of standing, sitting or walking or athletic activity
• A locking, clicking or catching sensation in the hip joint
• Stiffness or limited range of motion in the hip joint

FEMOROACETABULAR IMPINGEMENT

Hip impingement is also known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and is seen more often in men. It is caused when the femoral head (the ball-shaped bone at the top of the femur or thigh bone) and the acetabulum (the socket in the pelvis into which the femoral head fits) don’t fit together properly. This is often the result of extra bone in the hip, though it can also be caused by bone deformity. Hip impingement causes friction and abnormal wear and tear on the joint. Overtime, this can lead to osteoarthritis and the need for a hip replacement.

Symptoms

A person with hip impingement may experience:

• Pain in the groin during or after activity or when sitting for long periods of time
• Difficulty flexing the hip beyond a right angle
• Hip stiffness
• Trouble going up stairs
• Limping
• A loss of balance

GLUTE TENDINOPATHIES/BURSITIS

Gluteal tendinopathy is a type of tendon disorder in your hips and buttocks area (gluteal region). The disorder causes the tendon tissue to break down or deteriorate. Gluteal tendinopathy is a common cause of hip pain, especially in older women. Physical therapy exercises can help, although some people need other interventions.

Gluteal tendinopathy affects the tendons that connect to your buttocks muscles. These include the gluteus maximus, medius and minimus. These muscles run from your hipbone (pelvis) to your greater trochanter. The greater trochanter is the ridge at the top of your thighbone (femur).

What causes gluteal tendinopathy?

Gluteal tendinopathy can occur from tendon overuse or underuse. Potential causes include:

• Putting too much force on your tendons during physical activities (overuse).
• Tendon compression due to a fall or another type of accident.
• Excess pressure on the tendons from weight gain or obesity.
• Inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle (underuse).
• Wide pelvis or hip instability.
  

  Symptoms

  The most notable sign of gluteal tendinopathy is moderate to severe hip pain. This pain extends down the outside of your leg to your knee or lower leg. You may also experience lower back pain, groin pain or gluteal pain. The pain often starts at the greater trochanter at the top of your thighbone. This area may feel tender to touch.

  The pain may feel worse when you:

  • Climb stairs or walk up a hill.
  • Get out of bed in the morning.
  • Lie on your side.
  • Sit for a prolonged time or sit cross-legged.
  • Stand on one leg — like when you pull on a pair of pants.

ADDUCTOR RELATED GROIN PAIN

An adductor strain, also called a groin pull or strain, is an acute injury to the muscles on the inside of the thigh, known as the adductor muscles. These muscles help to stabilize your hips and move the legs inward. A groin strain can be caused by an athletic injury or sudden leg or hip movements. This can cause the inner thigh muscles to stretch or tear.

The group of muscles commonly involved with adductor strains includes the adductor muscles (longus, medius, and magnus), the gracilis, and the pectineus muscles. The adductor longus, which runs from the pubic region of the pelvis down the inner thigh, is the most common location of injury.

Symptoms