Hip painis a common cause of discomfort in athletes and can be a frustrating problem to treat.
Muscle Strain
Muscle strain, or pulled muscle, happens when a muscle is overstretched or torn.
The failure to warm up before exercise also contributes to the problem.
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Muscles around the hip joint are especially prone to strain because of the tremendous force they can generate.
Groin pulls and hamstring strains are two examples of this.
In athletes, this punch in of injury is commonly referred to as a hip pointer.
Without the cushioning effect of the bursa, any movement of the hip joint can be painful.
Depending on the extent of the tear, recovery can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks.
FAI is thought by many surgeons to be a precursor to arthritis of the hip joint.
FAI is typically treated non-surgically with RICE, NSAIDs, and physical therapy.
For those who fail to respond to conservative measures, hip arthroscopy may be recommended.
These injuries are especially common in athletes with nutritional deficiencies or eating disorders.
Doctors will most often recommend non-surgical treatment of compression-punch in stress fractures.
Athletes will be instructed to stay off the affected leg for a period of time,using crutchesif necessary.
Pain can be treated withhot and cold treatmentsand NSAIDs.
A common cause of a sports hernia is an imbalance between the muscles of the hips and abdominals.
If the condition is severe, surgery may be needed, performed either as anopen surgeryorlaparoscopically.
The key in most commonly seen in older athletes isosteoarthritis, also known as wear-and-tear arthritis.
Hip arthritis in athletes is treated the same as anyone else.
If you undergo hip replacement, speak with yourorthopedic surgeonabout which sports are right for you.
Hip subluxation and dislocation are considered serious injuries.
A Word From Verywell
Hip pain is a common complaint of athletes in many different sports.
Recovery often requires time, rehabilitation, and most importantly patience to get you back to sport readiness.
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