Reasons for Severe Hip Pain

The hip joint is unique. Not only is weight from the upper body always pushing down on the hip joint, the weight of the leg pushes up on the hip joint when standing. This pressure places an extreme amount of stress on the hip, leaving it susceptible to injury and pain. Understanding the reasons for severe hip pain will aid in finding the proper treatment and improving mobility.

Fracture

The hip joint is placed under great stress when you exert yourself. Occasionally the stress felt during strenuous activity or an injury can cause the hip to fracture. Since a hip fracture rarely results in a full break, the fracture can be ignored. However, the National Institutes of Health warn that an ignored fracture can lead to blood clots or pneumonia. Any potential fracture should be examined as soon as possible.

Necrosis

Necrosis of the hip is a rare condition in which the hip bones do not get an adequate blood supply causing the femoral head to die and erode, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. As the bone is slowly chipped away, the pain grows. It can develop as the result of an injury, disease, lowered immune system or even steroid use and can affect men, women and children of all ages.

Arthritis

Arthritis develops when the cartilage in a given area diminishes or changes resulting in a severe and nagging pain. The hip is a common place to develop arthritis because so much strain is placed on the hip. Each jump you make, every extra pound you gain puts that much more stress on the cartilage of the hip. To manage this pain, consider anti-inflammatory drugs as well as avoiding common triggers of your hip pain.

Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It runs along the spine, past the hips and through the back of both legs. This nerve will occasionally become irritated, causing pain along the nerve, according to the Mayo Clinic. This is called sciatica. Since the sciatic nerve runs along the back of the hips, it is not uncommon to feel sciatica in the hips if your sciatica was brought on by an injury to the hips. However, sciatica in and of itself is not a condition but a symptom of an underlying problem such as an injury or back problem. To cure the hip pain related to sciatica, you will first need to find the cause of the sciatica.

Tendonitis

Overuse of the hip will cause the tendons that hold the hip joint in place to sometimes become inflamed and painful. This is referred to as tendonitis. Tendonitis can cause severe hip pain that will only heal with time. If your pain is persistent and burning, it might be time to give your hip a rest before a possible case of tendonitis gets worse.