The hip is one of the joints most affected by injuries and degeneration of bones and cartilage.. Therefore, it is important to have adequate treatment carried out by a hip specialist traumatologist, which helps avoid chronic injuries that affect the patient's quality of life.
What are the most common hip pathologies?
The hip is the joint that connects the femur and the pelvis., is one of the joints in the human body most affected by age. In many cases, hip pathologies are due to degeneration of bones and tendons.
Depending on the causes and symptoms, Numerous hip injuries are differentiated. One of the most common is the hip bursitis, which is produced by a inflammation of the synovial bursa of the trochanter. The bursa protects the hip from impacts and contributes to the mobility of the joint.
The trochanteritis, is characterized by an inflammation of the trochanter, which is the exit from the femur located in the upper part of the leg. In these cases, the patient usually experiences radiating pain along the leg.
Another of the most common hip injuries, especially among athletes, is hip pubalgia. This pathology is caused by damage to the muscles of the inguinal area, caused by repetitive movements of the joint. Finally, hip osteoarthritis is one of the most common pathologies, which is characterized by the wear and degeneration of the hip bones, which can cause hip breaks or fractures.
Causes of hip injuries
Hip injuries do not have a specific causeHowever, there are common causes observable in the majority of patients with hip pathologies. Firstly, muscle imbalances, that is, progressive loss of strength in the hip muscles that increases the risk of injury. In these cases, it is common for the patient to also have a lack of flexibility in the area.
Furthermore, as mentioned, One of the most common causes of hip pathologies is age., which accelerates the degeneration of bones and cartilage, increasing the chances of suffering a joint injury.
Finally, overtraining or overexertion of the joint can be the cause of different injuries, since it causes muscle fatigue in the area.
Symptoms of hip pathologies
Habitually, hip pathologies are manifested by acute pain in the joint which, in many cases, radiates along the legs. It is common for this pain to appear accompanied by inflammation and immobility in the area, so the patient will experience difficulty performing certain movements.
Sometimes, the patient may feel a sensation of heat in the area, especially in those cases in which inflammation appears. As well as weakness and immobility in the hips and legs.
Diagnosis of hip injuries
When the patient goes to the hip specialist traumatologist manifesting symptoms of a hip injury, first of all, you will undergo a physical examination, in which the possible existing inflammation will be studied, as well as those points where the greatest pain is experienced.
In most cases, especially those in which there is suspected hip break or fracture, the patient will need to undergo diagnostic imaging tests, such as x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging, which allow expanding the available information.
Best treatments for hip injuries
Once a complete diagnosis of the injury has been made, the most appropriate treatment will be prescribed for each patient. First of all, it is usually advisable to carry out a period of rest, accompanied by the application of cold to the area. The patient is usually prescribed anti-inflammatory treatment, which helps relieve existing pain.
In cases of inflammatory and muscle injuries of the hip, treatment with physiotherapy can offer good results, since it contributes to strengthening the area and, therefore, reduces the risk of future injuries.
Surgery for hip injuries
In cases of advanced osteoarthritis, or hip breaks and fractures, the most common treatment is surgery.. exist different types of hip surgery, one of the most common being the implantation of a prosthesis made of synthetic material, which can assume the function of the joint.
In other cases, it is decided to perform a bone repair, through the implantation of screws and surgical material, which allows the joint to regain mobility.
Tips to prevent hip injuries
In those cases in which hip injuries are caused by degeneration of the joint, it is difficult to establish guidelines to avoid them. However, There are certain recommendations, which can be useful to protect the hip joint from injuries in the short and long term..
First of all, it is important to carry out a body weight control, since the higher the BMI, the pressure on the joint will be greater and, therefore, the risk of bone and tendon degeneration, too. In addition, it is important to treat injuries correctly and apply treatment prescribed by a specialized traumatologist. In this way, the relapse of injuries will be avoided, as well as the appearance of new pathologies.
It is recommended the performing exercises that help strengthen the hip muscles, as well as avoiding sports practices that involve excessive impact on the joint.
As explained, the treatment of hip injuries is essential to avoid the chronicification of pathologies. By following certain guidelines, the chances of developing the injury can be significantly reduced.
