Why does my hip hurt when I walk?

The main causes of hip pain you feel when walking are arthritis, injury and damage, nerve or alignment problems. Diagnosis and treatment will depend on the part of the hip that hurts and the person’s medical history.

Origin of pain

Hip pain when walking is a common problem. It is usually caused by known issues. So identifying the origin will help find a treatment.

Arthritis

Arthritis can cause hip pain at any age. Old hip injuries can increase the risk of arthritis later in life. Science shows that professional athletes in impact sports are more likely to have arthritis in the hip and knee. Although hip pain when walking in older adults is usually due to arthritis in or around the joint.

There are several types of arthritis that can cause hip pain when walking. For example:

• Juvenile idiopathic . It is the most common type of arthritis in children.
• Osteoarthritis. This is due to wear on the joints.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. This autoimmune disease causes arthritis in the joints.
• ankylosing spondylitis . This type mainly affects the spine.
• Psoriasic arthritis. This type affects the joints and skin.
• Septic arthritis. It is caused by an infection in the joint.

muscle injuries

Injuries or damage to the hip joint can cause pain when walking. An injury to the hip and surrounding areas, such as the knee, can damage or trigger inflammation in the bones, ligaments, or tendons of the hip joint.

• Bursitis. Small fluid-filled sacs called bursae reduce friction between the muscles, bones, and tendons around the joints. When the bursae become inflamed it is called bursitis. A person with bursitis will feel pain near the affected joint and may develop bursitis if they overuse their muscles.
• Sprain or strain . These conditions occur from overuse of the muscles and ligaments in the hips and legs.
• Tendinitis. This condition is caused by damage or irritation to the tendons that connect the hip muscles to the bones. A person with tendinitis may feel a dull ache where the tendon and bone meet.
• Hip labral tear . The labral cavity or ring of cartilage holds the hip bone in place.
• toxic synovitis. This is an inflammatory condition in the joint that causes hip pain in children.
• Groin hernia . The pain is due to weakness or a tear in the lower wall of the stomach.
• Iliotibial band tightness . The iliotibial band is made up of fascial fibers that extend from the lateral aspect of the hip to the top of the shinbone. The band can become tight if overused, causing swelling and pain. Most often, it causes knee pain on bending, with referred pain to the hip.

bone injuries

As for the bones, hip pain when walking can also originate here. Some of the most common examples are:

• Fractured or broken hip.
• Dislocation. This occurs when the upper part of the thigh (leg) bone slides partially or completely out of the socket joint.
• Osteoporosis. This condition causes weak or brittle bones in the hip and other areas, usually occurring in older adults.
• Osteomyelitis. is a bone infection in or around the hip.
• bone cancer
• Leukemia- This is a cancer of the blood cells or bone marrow.
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. This disease occurs in children in which the thigh bone does not receive enough blood.
• Avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis. This disease temporarily stops or limits blood flow to the head of the femur of the hip and other bones.

Nerve problems or damage

Nerve problems in or near the hip joint can also cause pain when walking. Pinched or damaged nerves in the back can lead to hip nerve pain.

• Sciatica. A pinched nerve in the lower back can cause hip and leg pain.
• sacroiliitis . Nerve damage from inflammation where the spine meets the pelvic bone can also cause pain.
• meralgia paresthetica. Nerve irritation on the outer thigh can be due to obesity, tight clothing, or excessive standing or exercise.

Other causes of hip pain when walking

Problems with gait or the way you walk can trigger hip pain over time. Muscle weakness in the hips, legs, or knees can also cause an imbalance in the amount of pressure placed on a hip joint.

Problems with other joints in the body, such as flat feet or a knee injury, can also develop into hip pain.

Treatment for hip pain

Treatment for hip pain depends on the cause. Some causes, such as a pinched or irritated nerve or a minor sprain, may go away over time and may not need treatment.

In many cases, physical therapy can help treat hip pain. We can do exercises to help strengthen the hip and knee joints. And we may also need to improve core strength in the back and core. This helps keep your hip joint balanced when walking and running. Some examples might be hip exercises like shells and bridges, for hamstrings and quads or low impact. Even full body to strengthen core muscles.

Treatment options for hip pain include:

• Over-the-counter and prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
• Creams or ointments to relieve pain
• Hot or cold compresses
• Knee brace or shoe inserts (orthoses)
• topical anesthetic cream
• lose excess weight
• Muscle relaxants
• steroid injections
• Prescription pain medications or steroids
• massage therapy
• Surgery

Diagnosis

It is recommended to see a doctor if you have hip pain with walking for more than a day or two, or if it does not improve with pain relief attempts. We will tell the doctor if we have had any damage to the hip area, such as a fall or sports injury.

The doctor can find out the cause of the pain in this joint with some tests. You may also need a scan. When everything is ready, your GP may refer you to a sports medicine specialist or an orthopedic surgeon (bone specialist) if necessary.

Tests and scans for hip pain include:

• Patrick test and impact test. In these physical exams, the doctor will move the leg around the hip joint to determine where the problem is.
• Bone scan. These scans check for fractures or damage to the bone.
• Magnetic resonance. This imaging scan looks for damage or injury to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
• Ultrasound scan. This test is used to check joints and tendons.

Tips for managing pain

Here are some recommendations to make walking and standing more comfortable with hip pain:

• Wear comfortable shoes that give your feet even support.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing, especially around the waist and legs.
• If we have a history of knee or foot problems, we will wear a knee brace or shoe inserts.
• Wearing a back brace does help relieve hip pain.
• Avoid walking or standing on hard surfaces for long periods of time.
• Stand on a rubber mat if we need to stand to work. These are also sometimes called anti-fatigue mats.
• Elevate the desk or workspace to avoid slouching over it when working.
• Limit going up and down stairs. Keep everything we need on one floor if possible.

It is also interesting to follow some tips to sit down. Experts recommend sitting on a foam cushion or base. We will avoid sitting on a hard surface such as a chair or a wooden bench. We will also avoid sitting on something too soft like a sofa or a bed. A somewhat firm surface that allows us to sink slightly into it will better support the hips.