The most common cause of pain and stiffness in the hip is wear and tear due to arthritis. This condition usually affects older people; if you have it, you may feel pain in your thigh, buttock, or groin as well as in your hip. Another cause is bursitis, in which the fluid-filled sac that cushions the hip joint becomes inflamed because of overuse or injury. Bursitis causes pain on the outside of the thigh, close to the hip, that gets worse when you climb stairs or lie on the affected side.
Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have hip pain to establish the cause.
NATURAL REMEDIES
Glucosamine and chondroitin occur naturally in joint cartilage. Taking a supplement of either, or both combined, may reduce pain and stiffness and slow the progress of arthritis.
PREVENTION
Avoiding hip pain Once the pain has subsided, take these steps to help prevent recurrences.
* Lose any excess weight, as it puts extra pressure on your hip.
* Cycle or swim regularly to build up the muscles that support your hip joint.
Safe swimming
Avoid breaststroke as it can put strain on your hip.
What you can do yourself
If you have an episode of hip pain, try the following measures to help relieve the discomfort.
* Take a painkiller or apply an ibuprofen preparation. Massaging the hip with a counter-irritant can also be soothing (See DRUG REMEDIES).
* Try to keep moving gently, resting your hip and leg whenever you can. Avoid activity that brings on pain or makes it worse.
* If you have bursitis, try applying an ice pack (such as a bag of frozen peas or crushed ice wrapped in a wet towel.) Hold in place for about 10 minutes. Reapply 2-3 times a day for the first 48 hours.
* If you have arthritis, hold a covered hot-water bottle or a heated fleece pad on your hip.
* Sleep on a firm mattress. Try not to lie on the hip.
* For arthritis, try a supplement of glucosamine and/or chondroitin (See NATURAL REMEDIES).
Seek further medical advice if:
* Your hip is not improving after a week, or is getting worse
* You develop pain in other joints
DRUG REMEDIES
Painkillers include paracetamol (see p 187) and ibuprofen, which also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Ibuprofen gel, cream, or spray can be applied to the affected area.
Counter-irritants are creams and gels that produce a tingling sensation, which soothes pain temporarily.
