Top 5 reasons

Hip pain is common in people who play sport. A lot of sports related hip pain is simply a sign of overuse- and will respond well to a few days rest. If it persists, it’s worth getting it assessed. Here are 5 common reasons for hip pain-:

Clue- it’s all about Location, location, location

Exactly where the pain is in the hip can be a strong clue as to the source of the pain. For example, pain that is deep, and more towards the groin is more likely to be related to the hip joint itself.

Pain on the outside of the hip is more likely to be tendon or bursa pain.

 Use the location of pain as a guide.

1. Adductor tendinopathy

The pain is usually towards the groin, and is worse with activities where you are on a single leg, or kicking. A very common injury in sports players where lots of kicking or running is involved.

Adductor injuries are common in kicking sports

2. Gluteus Medius tendinopathy / bursitis

This is the tendon of on of the gluteal muscles, and just like the tendons at the ankle (achilles) and the knee (patella) can become problematic. The pain tends to be on the outside of the hip (lateral hip pain), and can be painful to touch. The nearby bursa can also be inflamed and a source of pain.

3. Femoral-acetabular impingement (FAI)

This is the funky, trendy diagnosis at present. The pain with FAI is usually deep and in towards the groin. The hypothesis is that people with a difference within the bony contours of the bone, in either the femoral head (the ball) or the the acetabulum (socket) will be more prone to pain from impingement. These are called either CAM or PINCER (see diagram). There is much controversy over how to diagnose this, and how to treat it. However, many patients can be successfully managed conservatively.

4. Referred pain from the lower back

Injuries in the lower back can refer pain to the hip. The pain is usually deep, or radiating across an area around the hip or upper leg. This is easily diagnosed by a physiotherapist, and treatment for the lumbar spine usually resolves this injury

5. Labral / cartilage tear 

This is an unusual injury but can be a cause of hip pain.The location of the pain is often deep, and towards the groin. If pain is associated with painful clicking at the hip then this diagnosis may be a possibility. Read more about Labral Tears here.