What are Hip Joint Diseases? Causes and Treatment

Hip joint diseases describe disorders and functional losses that develop in the structures forming the hip joint, such as bones, cartilage, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. The causes of these diseases cover a very broad spectrum, ranging from congenital developmental problems to trauma and age-related osteoarthritis (calcification). Therefore, hip joint diseases can occur from birth and in every stage of life.

The most common hip joint diseases can be listed as follows:

•    Developmental Hip Dysplasia (Congenital)
•    Toxic Synovitis (Transient joint inflammation in children)
•    Hip Impingement Syndrome
•    Femoral Head Osteonecrosis (bone death)
•    Hip Joint Osteoarthritis (Calcification)
•    Hip Bursitis, Tendinitis, Labral Tears
•    Hip Fractures (especially in the elderly)
Hip joint diseases can develop due to multifaceted causes and create problems that can seriously affect the patient's quality of life. Therefore, knowing the risk factors is crucial for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

What are the Causes of Hip Joint Diseases?

The emergence of the disease can vary depending on underlying causes and risk factors.

The causes and consequences of hip joint diseases can be listed as follows:

•    Genetic Predisposition: The presence of similar hip problems in a person's family can create a risk for the emergence of certain issues.
•    Congenital Developmental Disorders: These occur due to incomplete development of the hip joint in the womb or during infancy. Developmental hip dysplasia seen in infancy is the most typical example.
•    Trauma or Accidents: Falls, impacts, or sports injuries, which can occur at any moment in life, can also cause problems in the hip area. They occur more frequently especially during youth.
•    Infections: Infections like toxic synovitis, particularly experienced during childhood, can lead to temporary hip problems.
•    Aging and Cartilage Wear: Especially after the age of 40, wear and tear on cartilage tissue increases with age. Osteoarthritis, movement restrictions, osteoporosis, and related hip fractures can occur.

What Causes Pain in the Hip Joint?

The conditions that cause hip pain are very diverse. Pain can be experienced due to osteoarthritis, impingement syndrome, infections, trauma, and problems with the muscles and tendons around the hip. It cannot always be said that pain indicates a serious disease. However, pain felt specifically in the groin area, increasing with movement, and showing continuity must definitely be evaluated by a specialist.

What are the Most Common Symptoms of Hip Joint Diseases?

•    Groin Pain: The most typical symptom of problems in the hip joint is pain in the groin area. However, many people are not aware that groin pain can originate from the hip.
•    Pain Increasing with Movement: Particularly, an increase in pain in the hip area due to any activity or movement can point to osteoarthritis and impingement syndrome.
•    Difficulty Sitting and Standing: In cases of cartilage damage and movement restriction, the person complains of difficulty when sitting down and getting up.
•    Limping, Instability While Walking: Developmental hip dysplasia and post-trauma problems also manifest with symptoms like instability and limping while walking.
•    Night Pain: One of the most typical symptoms of advanced joint problems is pain that lasts throughout the night.

What is Hip Impingement Syndrome, What are its Causes?

Hip impingement syndrome occurs as a result of two bones of the hip joint rubbing against each other. The hip joint is formed between the head of the thigh bone (femur) and the socket in the pelvic bone (acetabulum). Normally, these two structures work in harmony. However, in some people, there is a structural mismatch between these bone structures, and during movement, these areas rub against each other, creating impingement.

In fact, this condition stems from a congenital, perhaps even genetic, difference in bone structure. Just as every person's eyes, ears, and nose are different from each other, so are our joints. Some people's hip joints may be less tolerant to certain movements. For example, during leg opening movements or certain sports activities, the two bones forming the hip (femoral head and acetabulum) can rub against each other, causing impingement. Approximately 40% of osteoarthritis cases that appear in older age actually begin with such impingements.

What are the Symptoms After Hip Impingement?

Symptoms of hip impingement syndrome include: Pain in the groin area (most common symptom), pain in the front or side of the hip, difficulty when sitting down/standing up or getting in/out of a vehicle, stinging or catching sensation during hip flexion and rotation movements, pain that increases with activity and decreases with rest, and fatigue and stiffness after prolonged walking.

What are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis (Calcification) in the Hip Joint?

The most typical symptoms of Osteoarthritis, i.e., calcification, which occurs due to the deterioration of joint cartilage over time, are: Pain in the groin and hip, movement restriction, difficulty in static positions, and limping over time. In its treatment, medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications are used together. In advanced stages, hip replacement surgery can also be applied.

Which Treatment Methods are Applied in Hip Joint Diseases?

In hip joint diseases, treatment planning is made by evaluating factors such as the patient's health problem and general condition together. In early stages, medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes are applied. In more advanced stages, injections and still protective treatments are used, and depending on the patient's condition, surgical treatments like joint replacement surgery come into question in advanced stages.

In addition, the patient is expected to develop protective strategies such as maintaining muscle strength, avoiding risky movements, controlling weight if overweight, and undergoing regular physical therapy.