Two extremely common causes of hip muscle pain are due to tendinitis and muscle strains. Tendinitis tends to occur around the muscle’s attachment to the hip, and strains generally lead to pain on the muscle itself. Snapping hip syndrome, though it doesn’t typically cause pain, may eventually do so in some cases. Another frequent cause of hip muscle pain is due to bursitis, which is when a small container of fluid gets inflamed and brushes against a muscle.
Muscle Strain
Muscle strains are one of the most frequent causes of hip muscle pains. When one overstretches their muscles, generally during some sort of athletic activity, there is a possibility of tearing a few muscle fibers. This results in localized inflammation, pain, and bruising. Certain muscles, like the iliopsoas, that crosses in front of the hip, as well as groin muscles that connect to the inside of the pelvis, are highly likely to get strained. Treating hip muscle strains begins with cold therapy and rest, since this alleviates inflammation. Next, a corrective exercise program is implemented to strengthen the muscles and improve flexibility.
Tendinitis
Various muscles connect to a bone via a tendon. Should this tendon become inflamed, a condition referred to as tendinitis, it can result in a chronic hip muscle pain that is extremely difficult to heal. Tendinitis is most commonly the result of constant, repetitive movements that strain the muscle, however it can also be caused by direct physical trauma. The most commonly injured muscles by this condition are the iliopsoas, and the iliotibial band, which stretches around the outside of one’s hip.
Snapping Hip Syndrome
Another possible cause of hip muscle pain may be snapping hip syndrome. The main symptom of this condition is a catching or clicking feeling in either hip when moving. Depending on the specific muscles involved, one may experience this on either the inside of the hip, or outside. Certain individuals may suffer from snapping hip syndrome due to pain, while some simply feel a slight discomfort or annoyance due to the muscle snapping across the pelvis. Treating this condition is similar to a muscle strain; rest, stretch, and perhaps seek a sports massage therapist.
Bursitis
Lastly, the majority of the joints in one’s body contain bursa, which are essentially small containers of fluid that assist with lubricating the joint area. However, it is possible for bursa to get inflamed. When this happens, the affected joint will not be properly lubricated, causing catching and rubbing to occur instead of a smooth glide over a muscle. Eventually, this causes pain and inflammation, and this is a condition known as bursitis. This kind of pain in the hip muscle is not directly caused by a muscle, but is typically worsened if one has an inflexible hip. There are various other locations in the hip in which bursa may be present, however the condition generally effects the outer side.
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