Lateral hip pain, or pain that affects the outer side of the hip, can be debilitating. Often, it can be difficult to decipher what is causing it, making finding effective treatments challenging and leaving the sufferer in prolonged pain. In this blog, we will identify some of the most common causes of lateral hip pain.
ITBS
Although Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) often manifests in pain in the outer knee (often called “runner’s knee”), it is caused by a thick band of tissue which crosses both the knee joint and the hip joint. This means that with increased tension and strain, this tissue can squash and compress the tendons in the hip which can cause swelling and pain in this area. It’s usually caused by sitting and standing in certain positions, regularly carrying children on the hip and obesity.
Bursitis
Related to ITBS is bursitis, which is where the bursa (a cushion filled with fluid) that is found between the bone and the tendon becomes inflamed and irritated. This results in pain that radiates to the outer thigh.
Tendonitis
Tendons can also become inflamed or torn after repeated use. As the structure that connects muscle to the bone, this can be very painful and in severe cases may weaken the hip. Like bursitis and ITBS, this can occur gradually after general wear and tear but can also occur after an impact injury.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It can occur anywhere on the body, and is highly common on hip joints, especially for those who have not allowed a joint injury to heal properly, have another form of arthritis, or are 45 years old and above. It occurs when the protective cartilage on the end of a bone breaks down, which causes inflammation, pain and problems moving.
Lateral hip pain is often diagnosed as osteoarthritis without proper examination to check if this really is the underlying problem, when it could be caused by one of the factors on this list as well as a variety of other conditions. Dr. Stephanie Barrett is a lateral hip pain specialist in London who can help diagnose the issue and treat it effectively. Get in touch today to book an appointment.
