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Hip injury/ Anatomy, Osteonecrosis, Lumber Pain/Referred Pain, Snapping hip Syndrome, Muscle Strains, Hip/Stress Fractures, Hip injury Cold laser Pain relief  

Hip injuries are a very common problem with many causes. an accurate diagnosis is very important as defining of the cause of  symptoms well predetermine the appropriate treatment which should be directed at the underlying problem. Below are some common causes of hip pain: 

Osteonecrosis 

Osteonecrosis is a condition that occurs when blood flow to an area of bone is restricted. If an inadequate amount of blood flow reaches the bone, the cells will die and the bone may collapse. One of the most common places for osteonecrosis to occur is in the hip joint.  

Lumber Pain/Referred Pain

Back and spine problems can cause symptoms around the buttocks and hip. The most common problems that refer pain to the hip region are Herniated disc and Sciatica. 

Many back and spine problems can cause symptoms around the buttocks and hip. The most common problems that refer pain to the hip region are herniated disc and Sciatica. 

Snapping hip Syndrome 

Snapping hip syndrome is a word used to describe three distinct hip problems. The first is when the Ilio-tibial band snaps over the outside of the thigh. The second occurs when the deep hip flexor snaps over the front of the hip joint. Finally, tears of the cartilage, or labrum, around the hip socket can cause a snapping sensation. 

Muscle Strains 

Strains of the muscles around the hip and pelvis can cause pain and spasm. The most common strains are groin pulls and Hamstring strains.  

Hip Fractures

Hip fractures are most common in elderly patients affected by osteoporosis. Treatment of broken hip requires surgery to either replace the broken portion or repair it with a metal plate and screws.  

Stress Fractures 

Stress fractures of the hip are most common in athletes who participate in high-impact sports, such as long distance runners. Treatment usually is successful and directed to avoidance of the impact activities. 

Cold laser Therapy/Treatment

The lasers used at Central Chiropractic Clinic are certified as Cold Laser.  For the past 30 years the technology of Cold Laser Therapy (also known as Low Level Laser Therapy) has been formally accepted in North America and in many other parts of the world such as Europe, Russia and Japan.  In all this time there have been no recorded long-term adverse effects from low level laser therapy.  It is considered to be non-invasive, painless and safe.

Cold Laser Therapy uses laser light energy to stimulate cells to function optimally.  In the body, light sensitive chromophores and other elements within the cell absorb energy, initiating a series of important photochemical changes such as increased production of ATP. The mitochondria and Kreb’s Cycle stimulation initiates the production of ATP, providing the cell with the extra energy needed to accelerate the healing process and positively influence pain.  These activities can occur in all types of cells and includes ligament, nerves, cartilage and muscle.

Low Level Cold Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a Handheld, non-invasive, light-emitting medical device which is used over different areas of the body. It provides an unmatched advantage in t he treatment of conditions such as;

Hip Pain and Sacroiliac Joint inflammation 

Chronic Pain, including Neck, Back, Hip and Joint Pain.

Athletic and sports Injuries

Back and Lower back pain, Sciatica, Slipped disc, prolapsed disc, herniated disc, 

Trapped nerves

Athletic and sports Injuries

Whiplash, Neck Pain and injuries 

Lower Back Pain
Knee and Foot Pain
Shoulder Injury
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Arthritis, Muscle Spasm
Relief of Muscle and Joint Pain
Skin infections, including cold sores

Wound Management including Skin Ulcers, Pressure Sores and Burns

Soft Tissue Injuries including Sprains and Strains, Tendonitis and Haematomas

Joint Disorders including Arthritis, and Tenosynovitis

Chronic pain such as Trigeminal Neuralgia and Chronic Neck, Back and Hip pain. Whiplash, Neck Pain and injuries

For further in depth information on Hip Pain Sciatica, Lower Back Pain, Trapped Nerves. Please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions”.

See also Cold Laser Therapy under “Treatments” for effective pain Relief and healing.

Hip Anatomy

The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The ball is formed by the top of the thigh bone (femur) and is called the “head” of the femur. The socket is formed by the bones of the pelvis and is called the acetabulum.  Ligaments tendons and muscles hold the head of the femur (the ball) in the acetabulum (the socket).

Articular cartilage is a smooth material that covers the head of the femur and the acetabulum. Articular cartilage covers the bony surfaces wherever they come into contact with each other. Articular cartilage allows the head of the femur to move freely inside the acetabulum as the leg moves. Fluid also aids the head of the femur move freely inside the acetabulum. This fluid is called synovial fluid and provides and lubrication to the hip joint.

The hip joint is surrounded by a “sack” called a joint capsule. Ligaments are like strong fibrous rope like structures that help connect bones and provide stability to joints. Ligaments reinforce the capsule and connect the head of the femur to the acetabulum. These ligaments prevent the head of the femur from coming out of the acetabulum. Larger, stronger ligaments also provide stability to the hip joint.

The acetabulum has a ring of tissue called the labrum (this circles the acetabulum) the labrum also helps provide stability to the hip.

Tendons connect muscles to bone. There are various muscles that surround the hip joint. These muscles and their tendons provide stability to the hip joint when the leg is moved. These muscles are also necessary for activities such as running, jumping and walking.

The hamstring muscles (are at the back of the leg) act with the gluteus maximus (the “buttock muscle”) to move the leg backwards at the hip. The hip flexors (iliopsoas and rectus femoris) move the leg forward at the hip. The groin muscles (adductor magnus and longus) move leg toward the midline of the body. The abductor group (gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fascia lata) move the leg away from the body and are also stabilize the hip joint.

 A bursa or bursae is a small sac of fluid which limits friction between muscles, tendons and bones. The principle bursa of the hip joint is the bursa of the greater trochanter. This bursa is placed outside of the hip joint. An injury can occur by a direct blow or falling directly onto the outside of the hip, or from overuse.

One of the most common causes of hip pain is the inflammation of the bursa called hip bursitis. A bursa is a fluid filled sac that allows extra protection for the tendons on motion between two uneven surfaces. For example, in the hip, a bursa rests between the bony prominence over the outside of the hip (the greater trochanter) and the firm tendon that passed over this bone. When the tendon has to move over the bone and over the inflamed bursa it will result in pain. Because patients with hip bursitis move this tendon with each step, hip bursitis symptoms can be quite painful. Hip bursitis presents as the pain on the outside of the upper thigh. Management of hip bursitis is often directed on balancing the function of hip, knee and pelvis thus eliminating the cause of the pain as well as local application of the cold laser directed on suppression of inflammation and accelerating healing of the soft tissues

For further in depth information on hip pain, please go to top left corner under “pain” or “conditions” for treatment also go to top left corner under “Treatments” for “Cold Laser Therapy” 

Call 02476 222002.Registered with BUPA. AXA PPP. HSA. AVIVA. CIGNA. Simpleyhealth. Standard life. Pru health. Mercia health.Medicash Medisure. All health insurance accepted.

Description of Hip Bursitis.

Bursitis is caused by inflammation of bursa, a small connective tissue sac that contains small amount of fluid. Bursas are located throughout the joints of the body such as shoulder; elbow, hip, knee, and heel. They act as cushions between bones and the overlying soft tissues, and reduce friction between the gliding muscles and the bone.

Trochanteric Bursa and Relationship of the Iiotibial Band and the Greater Trochanter.

The bony point of the hip is called the Greater Trochanter. This is the attachment point for muscles that move the hip joint. The Trochanter has a large Bursa overlying it that occasionally becomes irritated, resulting in Hip Bursitis (Trochanteric Bursitis).

Another Bursa is located on the inside of the hip (the groin) this is known as Iliopsoas Bursa. When this Bursa becomes inflamed, the condition is also sometimes referred to as hip Bursitis, but the pain is located in the groin area. This condition is not as common as Iliopsoas Bursitis, but is treated in a similar manner.

Symptoms

The main symptom of Hip Bursitis is pain at the point of the hip. The pain extends to the outside of the thigh area. In the early stages, the pain can be described as sharp and intense. Later, it may become a dull ache.

Typically, the pain becomes worse at night, when lying on the affected hip, also when rising up from a chair after being seated for a long period. It also may get worse with walking, and the climbing of stairs. Hip Bursitis can affect anyone, but is more common in the 60 to 80 year olds and the middle-aged with more women being affected than men.

The following risk factors have been associated with the development of hip bursitis.

o    Nepetitive stress injury. This can occur in any sporting activity such as running, football bicycling, or standing for excessive periods of time.

o    Hip injury. An injury to the point of the hip can occur when you fall onto to hip or just a bump or bang the hip.

o    Spine disease. Scoliosis, Arthritis of the lumbar (lower) spine, and other spine problems, are further risk factors.

o    Leg-length inequality. When one leg is shorter than the other by more than an inch or so, it affects the way you walk and can lead to irritation of a Trochanteric Bursa. The risk can be reduced by the use of heel or arthopedic foot lift.

o    Rheumatoid arthritis. This makes the Bursae more likely to become inflamed.

o    Previous surgery. Surgery of the hip area or prosthetic implants in the hip can be a cause of irradiation and cause Bursitis.

o    Bone Spurs or Calcium Deposits. These can develop within the tendons that attach to the Great Trochanter. They can irritate the Bursa and cause inflammation and resulting in pain.

Diagnosis

To diagnose the Hip Bursitis, the practitioner will perform a physical examination, looking for tenderness at the point on the hip; additional tests will be carried out to rule out other possible injuries or conditions. These tests can include X-rays, Bone scanning, and M.R.I. scanning.

Nonsurgical Treatment

There is little evidence to support the use of physiotherapy to treat hip Bursitis. However Cold Laser Therapy is extremely effective in the treatment of Bursitis.

See our Cold Laser Therapy Section under conditions Treated.

Injection of a Corticosteroid along with a local anesthetic can help relieve the symptoms of hip Bursitis. This is an effective treatment that your doctor may provide.