Your hips’ main function is to support your body weight in both static and dynamic postures (e.g. standing, and running). They also play an important role in maintaining your balance. Subsequently, any injuries to the hip should be treated immediately so that it does not cause further mobility issues.
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Known as a ball-and-socket joint, the hip is made up of 2 bones – the femur (thigh bone) and the pelvis (hip bone). There is a ball at the end of the femur which fits into a socket (also known as the acetabulum) of the hip bone. This not only stabilises the hips, but also ensures stable weight-bearing. Five groups of muscles are attached to the hip joint, and they enable the hip joint to move through a wide range of movement.
There are many strong ligaments (the strong connective tissue between bones) joining the pelvis to the femur that provide increased stability. Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs between the bones and soft tissue lubricate the joints and reduce friction, around the hip the most prominent one is the greater trochanteric bursa.
The hip joint is coated with a layer of cartilage, to facilitate smooth movement of the joint. In addition to that, the edge of the socket is lined by a rim of tough fibrous tissue known as the labrum. The labrum acts to increase conformity and stability of the hip joint.
Being a large and stable joint, the hip joint is capable of withstanding sustained wear and tear and in the absence of osteoporosis, takes a lot of force to break them. However, that does not mean that they cannot be damaged.
Some of the risk factors of hip injuries include:
Hip injuries can be split into 4 categories: fractures, soft tissue injuries, dislocations, and other pain issues.
Fractures
Soft tissue injuries
Dislocations
Other Hip Pain Issues
The symptoms may vary according to the location and condition of the injury, but common symptoms include feeling pain in the following areas:
Over-the-counter medications and icing the injured area can relieve hip pain for the short-term. Do note that underlying conditions, especially arthritis, can cause these symptoms, which is why it is advisable to visit an orthopaedist so that it can be properly diagnosed and treated.
Common symptoms of fractures and dislocations are:
In the event of such an injury, visiting a doctor is vital so that the injury does not get worse and result in long-lasting mobility issues.
Our doctors are trained and highly experienced in diagnosing and treating orthopaedics conditions. We aim to provide you with quality care by thoroughly assessing your condition and personalising your treatments to your needs and goals.