Member Case Study: Hip Pain

author : AMSSM

comments : 0

Hip pain in an athlete involves a wide range of possible diagnoses. Furthermore, people of different age groups are prone to different kinds of injuries due to different stages of bone development.

Member question from antti asu
I ran my first half marathon a week ago and now my left hip is in pain. It’s the same kind of pain as when I had tennis elbow, so I’m assuming that it has inflammation in the bag around the actual joint. I've been taking ibuprofen (600mg three times a day), and giving it some cold and rest. Am I doing the right thing? It seems to help.

Answer by Chimezie Okochi

Member AMSSM

Hip pain in an athlete involves a wide range of possible diagnoses. Furthermore, people of different age groups are prone to different kinds of injuries due to different stages of bone development. Onset, progression, location, and level of pain with certain movements of the hip may help determine a more specific cause for hip pain.

Overuse injuries such as inflammation of a small fluid-filled sac that provides a cushion between bones and tendons and/or muscles around a joint (trochanteric bursitis) and muscle strains (similar to what occurs in tennis elbow) are more likely to be seen in skeletally mature active young adults.

Trochanteric bursitis in runners is usually a result of repetitive and cumulative irritation due to friction by the iliotibial band (ITB), and hip abductor weakness is considered a predisposing factor. That is the reason why a rehabilitation program for trochanteric bursitis usually has emphasis on stretching of the ITB and strengthening of the hip abductors.

The examples of overuse injuries cited above are extra-articular (outside the hip joint), and are usually not serious.

The most critical diagnosis to exclude in this group is the femoral neck stress fracture, an intra-articular (involving the hip joint) injury. You should seek face to face medical consultation if you have worsening or persistent groin, hip, or thigh discomfort/pain increasing with activity. Also see your doctor if you have any problems with weight bearing or walking.

For most overuse injuries rest, ice, and nonsteroidal anti inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen remain the mainstay of treatment. Physical therapy and steroid injection may be required in some cases. Gradual return to activity as tolerated is encouraged as soon as pain subsides.

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date: March 6, 2008