The 7 Most Common Hip Injuries: Symptoms and Treatment

The health of our hips plays a fundamental role in our daily mobility.
This complex joint constantly supports our body weight and allows for a wide range of motion, making it vulnerable to different types of injuries and problems.

Hip Anatomy: The Basics You Need to Know

The hip is not simply a joint, but a sophisticated system made up of multiple structures.
The head of the femur connects with the acetabulum of the pelvis, creating a ball joint that allows movements in various planes. Surrounding muscles, such as the glutes and flexors, work together to provide dynamic stability.

Natural Joint Movements

Our hip allows fundamental movements such as:

• Flexion
• Extension
• Abduction
• Adduction
• Internal and external rotation

Common Injuries Affecting the Hip

Hip Bursitis

Bursitis represents an inflammation of the synovial bursae around the joint.
It usually affects the trochanteric bursa, causing localized pain in the lateral area of the thigh that can extend to the knee. Symptoms worsen when lying on the affected side or performing specific movements.

Hip Tendonitis

This injury mainly involves the tendons of flexor muscles, especially the iliopsoas.
It is characterized by intense pain in the groin region that increases during flexion movements. Athletes and people with repetitive activities are at higher risk of developing it.

Labral tears

Acetabular labral tears can occur from trauma or degeneration.
They cause symptoms such as deep groin pain, a feeling of joint locking, and clicking during movement. Its diagnosis requires specialized imaging studies.

Femuroacetabular Impingement

This condition results from abnormal contact between the femoral head and the acetabulum.
There are two main types: cam (femoral deformity) and pincer (acetabular overcoverage). It can cause groin pain during specific movements and progress to degenerative changes if not treated properly.

Hip Fractures

Fractures represent serious injuries, especially in older adults with osteoporosis.
Its incidence increases after the age of 65, being more frequent in postmenopausal women. They can occur in different areas such as femoral neck, intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric region.

Hip Dislocation

A rare injury, but serious one that requires urgent attention.
Typically, it occurs in high-energy accidents, presenting severe pain, visible deformity, and inability to move. Posterior dislocations are more common.

Osteoarthritis of the Hip

A degenerative disease that affects the articular cartilage.
It is characterized by progressive pain, morning stiffness, and limited movement. Factors such as age, obesity and high-impact activities increase your risk.

Professional Diagnosis

The diagnosis includes:

• Detailed medical history
• Complete physical exam
• Specific imaging tests
• Movement Assessment

Available Treatments

Treatments vary depending on the injury, including:

• Physiotherapy
• Modification of activities
• Conservative treatments
• Surgical intervention if necessary

Frequently asked questions