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2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14
The hip joint is the largest in the human body. It has the main load. Violation of the musculoskeletal system can lead to irreparable consequences.
Therefore, if pain occurs in the pelvic region, an urgent need to consult a doctor. The therapist will advise which specialist you need to contact and give you a referral.
The structure of the pelvis
The joint of the musculoskeletal system has a complex structure. It is less mobile than the shoulder, since its main function is to support the human body, as well as to exercise movement when walking and maintain balance.
The main elements are bones, ligaments and muscles. The top is the acetabulum, and under it is the head of the femur. Cartilage is located along the edge of the acetabulum. On the inner surface, there is synovial fluid that lubricates the articular cartilage.
The cause of pain can be:
- Mechanical damage to the joint;
- Inflammatory process caused by various diseases.
Mechanical damage
Mechanical damage occurs as a result of the trauma suffered. One of the most common injuries is a fracture of the narrowest part of the hip, the neck.
Its treatment requires surgery. Bone fusion in this area does not occur due to the absence of the periosteum, which could nourish the bone tissue. Therefore, the connection of the bone is performed surgically using special screws.
If you are injured, you should immediately contact a specialist for help, who will determine what to do and how to treat pain in the hip joint in this case.
Pain in inflammatory processes
The onset of pain in the musculoskeletal system can occur as a result of the inflammatory process in the body, which occurs in a number of diseases. These can be infectious diseases or tendon inflammation. Pain can occur if the blood supply is impaired.
Complication of such ailments can lead to damage to the cartilage, a change in the required amount of fluid that is in it. They cause dysfunction and pain.
Daily physical activity leads to wear and tear on the hip joint. As a result, the layer of cartilage tissue becomes thinner, the inner surface of the joint becomes inflamed, which causes pain. Pain can occur not only at the site of inflammation, but also in the thigh and lower leg. With such diseases, the hip joint hurts when walking, and the distance of possible movement on foot will decrease. The disease can result in lameness.
If there is pain in the pelvic region, it is recommended to go to an appointment with a specialist who, with the help of diagnostics, will determine the cause of the disease. Many people have a question: "Which doctor should I go to if the hip joint hurts?"
The first consultation can be obtained from the surgeon. As the examination progresses, you may need to consult other specialists.
This could be a traumatologist, rheumatologist, orthopedist, or physical therapist. The examination will reveal the causes of the disease.
The causes of diseases when the hip joints hurt and the treatment that is necessary in this case is determined by the doctor after examining the patient.
Purulent arthritis
Purulent arthritis is an infectious disease in which purulent inflammation forms in the joint. The causes of pain are the accumulation of pus in the joint. The patient's temperature rises, redness and swelling appear in the pelvic area. Severe pain does not allow walking or sitting.
When interviewing a patient, the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis, but treatment is prescribed after an X-ray of the pelvis. Treatment is with antibiotics.
To create complete rest for the patient, a plaster cast or splint is applied to the leg. After removing the general inflammation, physiotherapy and physiotherapy exercises are prescribed, which must be done to prevent adhesions. People suffering from this disease often become disabled.
Arthritis
With arthritis, a process of destruction and malnutrition of the joint occurs, as a result of which it cannot perform its functions, since elasticity and elasticity are lost. This disease is most common in older people.
Considering the factor that the hip bones are subjected to a large daily load, the cartilage tissue wears out with age and does not perform its functions.
It cannot provide sliding movement of the bone along the acetabulum. As a result, the intra-articular fluid, which serves to lubricate it, is produced in less quantity.
Friction of the bone increases, which leads to deformation of the hip joint. The cause of the development of the disease can be congenital subluxation, trauma, prolonged use of hormonal drugs.
Hip symptoms and pain do not come on suddenly. They appear gradually over a long time. Unpleasant sensations appear with increased load on the pelvis.
When a person is at rest, nothing bothers him. Depending on the stage of development of the disease, there is an increase in pain.
Diagnosis of the disease is confirmed by X-rays. In the initial stage, the disease begins to be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy exercises are prescribed.
As the disease worsens, surgery is required.
The hip joint hurts in such diseases as: bursitis of the vertical bursa, inflammation of the tendons, tumors of bones and soft tissues.
Pain during pregnancy
Very often, expectant mothers complain of pain in the pelvic area. During pregnancy, significant changes occur in the body.
The reasons that the hip joint hurts during pregnancy can be:
- Hormonal surges, which contribute to the extensibility of the pelvic bones during childbirth;
- With the growth of the uterus, the load on the pelvis increases by an average of 11 kilograms;
- There may be a calcium deficiency, which is necessary for the formation of the baby's skeleton;
- During pregnancy, there is an exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Treatment of pelvic pain in expectant mothers is more about preventive methods.
For this you need:
- Include foods high in calcium in your diet. You need to consume dairy products daily. Raw fish, nuts and vegetables are useful;
- Wear a support belt that will redistribute the load from the pelvis to the skeleton;
- Observe the daily routine, giving the body more time to rest;
- Refuse for this period from high-heeled shoes;
- Do not overload the body with physical activity. Swimming is good for strengthening muscles.
If you have pain in the pelvic area, you should see a specialist. After examining the symptoms of the disease, the doctor will prescribe the desired treatment.