Causes and physiotherapeutic treatment methods for hip pain

How does hip pain manifest itself?

If external pain persists, for example, bursitis may be a possibility. It is caused by excessive strain from strenuous activities or other diseases such as rheumatism or osteoarthritis. It also plays a role whether only one or both sides of the thigh are affected. Unilateral pain is often caused by injuries or disc problems, while bilateral pain can also be caused by gout or blood vessel diseases.

If discomfort occurs in the hip area while lying down, this may also indicate diseases such as gout or rheumatism, which have already been mentioned. When lying down, however, there are other causes, since the body is less stressed in this relaxed position. These include infections and inflammations of the hip joint or overloading of the nerve trunks.

Pain relief is the main focus of physiotherapy. Depending on the cause and stage of the symptoms, medication and exercise therapy can be very successful. For example, with regular physiotherapy or heat therapy, sufferers can relieve pain and strengthen their hip joint so that the symptoms do not recur in the future. Muscles and tendons are strengthened and sufferers can lead a more active lifestyle. Learning and performing specific stretching exercises or fascia exercises is also very helpful.

Hip pain can have many causes. Worn articular cartilage, impingement, osteoarthritis, jammed structures, inflammation, overuse, muscle weakness, shifting legs, bursitis and other conditions painfully restrict the joint with every step. Various physical therapy interventions relieve symptoms, but it is important to address the cause for long-term success.

Physiotherapy for hip pain

Physiotherapy for hip pain is primarily aimed at helping the patient to eliminate pain in the hip joint through conservative therapy or to ensure the fastest and best possible rehabilitation after a previous operation.

The most appropriate form of therapy depends on many factors. They usually include the cause of the hip pain. This can be congenital changes in the hip joint, metabolic diseases, age-related signs of wear and tear, inflammations such as bursitis in the hip joint, rheumatic diseases, accidents or spinal problems. The patient’s medical history and examination results (ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, etc.) provide a treatment plan that is individually tailored to the patient so that he or she can quickly become pain-free again and cope with everyday life without any problems.

Of course, the cooperation and discipline of the patient are essential for successful physiotherapeutic treatment. The most important contents of physiotherapeutic treatment for pain in the hip joint are:

• Manual therapy
• Strengthening, stretching and loosening
• Self-help in everyday life

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis) is one of the most common causes of pain in the hip joint. It is often age-related and only appears in old age. However, wear and tear is also possible in young people.

In the case of pain caused by a one-time or temporary overload or misload, it is often sufficient to rest for a few days. In the case of complaints that occur constantly, it is desirable to get to the bottom of the cause. Seeing a physical therapist can help identify abnormal movement patterns and work with the patient to correct them before they become chronic.

For inflammatory processes such as bursitis, a combination of immobilization of the affected joint, pain management with medication and physical therapy is often recommended. The latter aims to restore mobility to the affected joint and prevent recurrence of inflammation. This can help strengthen muscles and stop improper movements. Another treatment for bursitis is shock wave therapy. If inflammation still occurs repeatedly, surgical removal of the bursa is often the only solution.

If the cause of the complaints is wear and tear on the hip joint and the osteoarthritis is already advanced, physiotherapy can help to improve its progress. First of all, it is important to avoid incorrect tension by adopting a gentle posture, to strengthen the muscles and to increase mobility.