Hip Joint Location

• Not many people are able to locate a hip joint correctly. It is not the big bone mass at the outermost area of the lower abdomen. It is on the top of the leg bone (femur). The ball-shaped bone fits into a cup-shaped bone structure allowing for a range of motion.
  A healthy hip joint allows a range of bending and straightening positions. Because of its configuration and very mechanical nature, this joint is termed the "ball and socket" connection. The hip joint is in the groin area, where the leg meets the rest of your body.
  
  

Hip Joint Pain

• Pain in the hip joint may not have anything to do with a hip injury, as it could be caused by a back problem, arthritis, trochanteric bursitis, infection, torn muscle, sciatica, strain, sprain, tendinitis or osteonecrosis.
  Hip joint pain could also signal bursae inflammation. The bursa is a sac of fluid that provides a cushion for the greater trochanter, located next to the femoral neck. Most doctors see this as wear-and-tear pain. Sudden pain while participating in a sport is a common sign of a torn muscle called the acetabular labrum.
  
  

Torn Hip Muscles

• The hip has a very powerful set of muscles, with the piriformis being the most significant of them. This muscle is behind the hip and helps rotate the leg to an outward position.
  The sciatic nerve, which is just behind this muscle, sometimes weaves its way between the tendons. When the piriformis muscle pulls it can pinch this nerve, resulting in the intense pain of sciatica.
  
  

Hip Joint Injury

• Slip-and-fall events generally result in a hip fracture, which is very common in older people. However, this fracture does not always follow a dramatic fall or impact injury. The presence of osteoporosis can cause a fracture during everyday, simple chores or activities.
  A fall or the repetitive stress of vigorous exercise could result in a stress fracture of the femoral bone neck. The stress fracture might feel like a pulled muscle---at first. It feels like a dull ache, but it does not respond to rest. This pain gets progressively worse.
  
  

Hip Joint Treatment

• If you suspect a hip fracture, get emergency assistance as soon as possible. Sometimes, the injury is obvious due to an odd shape to the hip, extensive bruising and/or bleeding. If you cannot move your hip or put weight on the leg without pain, see a doctor immediately.
  If you are treating an injured hip it is important to be very careful and refrain from any activities that could aggravate it. You may derive some some relief from ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is available over-the-counter. Be sure that you sleep on the side that is not causing pain and put a pillow between your legs to relieve pressure.
  
  

When in Doubt

• Contact your medical professional if pain persists for more than a week, you develop a rash or a fever, you experience sudden hip pain or feel pain in both hips or in other joints. X-rays will identify if bones are broken.
  However, the best determination of injury to nerves or muscles is the high-contrast MRI arthrogram. Following an examination of the pictures---and using an arthroscope---a minimally invasive repair can be done, especially on that large muscle called the piriformis.
  Repair, such as replacing the hip, might be more extensive due to fracture or degeneration. Although recuperation may take six weeks, modern technology can create an artificial hip that will last 15 years.