Top 5 Causes of Hip and Leg Pain

The pain in your hip or leg can result from various medical issues, ranging from problems with muscles and tendons to diseases affecting nerves and bones. As with any pain, it’s essential to understand what could be causing your symptoms so you can get the appropriate treatment as soon as possible. 

5 Causes of Hip and Leg Pain

Tendinitis

Tendinitis is an inflammation resulting from the degenerating tendon and tendon tears. When the tendons attached to the thigh bone are irritated and inflamed from injury or overuse, it causes pain and aches in the affected area.

Individuals participating in sports or occupations that require repetitive movements are at higher risk of tendinitis. It is more common among the older populations.

Symptoms

• Pain that increases as you move
• Difficulty moving joints
• Swelling in the joints
• Grating and crackling when moving joints
• Weakness in affected areas

Treatment

Doctors can use four methods of pain management to treat tendinitis.

• Rest- Avoid frequent movement of the joint for 2-3 days
• Put the ice on the affected area for 20 minutes in a 2-3 hour interval
• Support the affected areas using an elastic bandage, soft brace, or tube bandage
• Elevate legs above the heart during rest

Arthritis

Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints. It occurs when the shock absorber tissues begin to deteriorate. Though it is common among adults above 65 years, it can affect people of any age. There are many types of arthritis, with the most common being osteoarthritis.

Symptoms

• Stiffness, pain, and swelling of the joints
• The difficulty of joint movement
• Fatigue

Treatment

Arthritis has no cure. Different treatments can ease the pain and symptoms. They include;

• Taking anti-inflammatory medicine
• Eating healthy diet
• Surgery
• Physical therapy

Sciatica

Sciatica is pain resulting from an injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve. It results from a herniated disk or bone spur, leading to pain in the lower back and legs. The pain can radiate and cause leg and hip pain.

Symptoms

• Severe pain after accident or injury
• Weakness and numbness in the legs
• Inability to control bowels or bladder

Treatment

The purpose of sciatica treatment is to increase mobility and reduce pain. Treatment includes

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Muscle relaxant drugs
• Placing cold packs on the injured area
• Hot packs- Apply 2 to 3 days after injury
• Stretching
• Surgery such as laminectomy or microdiscectomy

Dislocation

Dislocation is a blow on the joint that causes the ends of the bones to move out of their usual position. An example is when the knee strikes the dashboard in front during a vehicle accident and causes the hip ball to shift from its position. The dislocation can occur in the knees, fingers, shoulders, or the hip leading to intense pain and swelling that inhibits movement.

Symptoms

• Hip dislocation symptoms
• Clunking and popping sounds from the hip
• Severe pain after injury
• The joint socket appears loose
• Knee dislocation symptoms
• Pain
• Ability to extend your knee by 30 degrees farther than usual angles
• Swelling

Treatment

• Moving the bones to the right place through surgery
• Repositioning- Manually moving the bones back to their position
• Painkillers
• Splint or cast to keep the dislocated area in place during healing

Bursitis

It is the inflammation or swelling of bursae, the little sacs between the body’s tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments. It is a result of prolonged pressure on the bursa. Repetitive movements of joints can also lead to bursitis.

Symptoms

• Increase in temperature of skin around the bursa
• Pain
• Decrease in joint movement
• Swollen and red

Treatment

• Taking antibiotic- If it is caused by infection
• Physical therapy or exercise to strengthen the affected areas
• Corticosteroid drug injection into the bursa to reduce pain and inflammation
• Temporary use of the assistive device to reduce pressure
• Surgery

Get Help with Your Hip and Leg Pain Today

While there are many potential causes of hip and leg pain, the most common include arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, dislocation, and sciatica. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. With the proper care, you can find relief from your pain and get back to enjoying your life.

Contact the team at Southern Pain Clinic for help if you suffer from hip and leg pain. Fill out the form below to get started today.