Hip Pain

Our experience in treating hip pain for over 20 years makes us experts

Conditions we treat include:

Osteoarthritis (wear and tear)
Gluteal tendinopathy
Trochanteric bursitis
Piriformis syndrome
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Meralgia Paraesthetica (felt at the front of the thigh)

Diagnosis

Discussion of your symptoms and a thorough examination is usually enough to diagnose hip pain and begin treatment. Sometimes referral for x-ray examination or MRI scan is useful to aid diagnosis and infrequently it is needed to rule out conditions such as avascular necrosis, tumor, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease which require immediate medical attention.

Treatment

We have many treatment approaches, for example, manipulation of joints and muscles, K-Laser, dry needling, exercise and lifestyle advice, meaning we can choose the right ones for each person depending on their needs and wishes. Our overall aim is to accelerate recovery, reduce spasm and tension in muscles, restore movement to restricted joints, reduce any inflammation or swelling, free trapped nerves and strengthen to help avoid further recurrence.

Common causes of hip pain

Hip Impingement or Femeroacetabular Impingement

Hip impingement occurs when the ball (the head of the femur) and/or the socket (acetabulum) grow into an abnormal shape. This can cause a painful pinching and sometimes clicking sensation and reduced movement at the hip.

Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Also known as wear and tear. The main symptoms are pain and stiffness, especially in the morning. The pain is typically in the groin and sometimes also in the buttock and knee. It usually develops over a long period. Walking and bending forward to put on socks and tie shoelaces becomes increasingly difficult.

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

This was previously called trochanteric bursitis. You feel the pain on the side of your hip. It can be too painful to lie on your side and the pain tends to be worse going up stairs or with walking and sports activities.

Piriformis Syndrome

Spasm in the piriformis muscle, in the buttock, can trap the sciatic nerve as it travels through this muscle, causing buttock and leg pain, similar to sciatica. Numbness and tingling in the leg and foot may also occur.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial pain is caused by trigger points. A trigger point is a knot of contracted muscle that lies within a taut band of muscle. Trigger points in the gluteal muscles of the buttocks can cause hip pain. This sometimes refers into the leg.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The restriction of the sacroiliac joint’s movement causes pain at the back of the pelvis, typically on one side, that may also be felt in the low back and buttocks. Some people experience a buckling sensation as if their back will give way and not be able to support them. It is often difficult to weight-bear on the involved side.