Increased Hip Pain – Three Possibilities of Cause
Your hip joint is one of the largest in your body, and the responsibility it bears isn’t insignificant: It’s one of your primary weight-bearing joints, so when there’s a problem, your mobility and overall quality of life are greatly affected.
Countless people are affected by hip pain, whether from a sports injury, sitting at an office desk for too long, or because of a chronic condition. There are some diseases that are responsible for a disproportionate amount of hip pain, and it’s important to learn about them so you can practice preventive self-care and be well-informed when you talk with your doctor.
Hip Pain Defined
First, it’s important to know that, unfortunately, there are many types of hip discomfort, from numbness, burning, and tingling to dull achiness and even sharp, jabbing pain. Along with limited mobility, your legs might become unable to support your weight, or you might notice uncomfortable swelling.
What’s more, when you suffer from chronic hip pain, you might have real trouble finding a position you can be in comfortably. By nature, hip pain can be progressive and worsen with time or increased activity. No matter what type of hip pain you’re saddled with, it can be discouraging to live with.
Three diseases linked to hip pain
- Arthritis
There are multiple types of arthritis that can lead to hip pain:
- Osteoarthritis is degenerative and occurs when protective bone cartilage wears away. Aging is the main culprit for this condition.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation throughout your body and attacks your joints.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that inflames your spine and causes pain to travel to your hip
- Psoriatic arthritis is systemic and a symptom of psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that affects the skin. It also causes joint pain and affects the hip.
Don’t assume that only certain types of arthritis can cause hip pain — each of these can. Out of all of them, though, it’s osteoarthritis that’s to blame most often when it comes to hip pain.
- Lyme Disease
Contracted through a tick bite, Lyme disease has complex symptoms that manifest differently in each patient diagnosed with it. Though we typically think of the bullseye rash that’s an early warning sign, lyme disease is systemic. It causes joint swelling and in turn, hip pain, which can be severe.
- Lupus
Lupus is another autoimmune disease, where your body’s immune system turns on itself and hurts you rather than helping you to heal. Lupus attacks your hip in several ways. The condition causes joint inflammation, or arthritis, that can affect your hip. If you have lupus, you have a greater chance of developing osteoarthritis, too, and its attendant hip pain. Less commonly, lupus sufferers experience infections that occur in the hip.
Finally, many people with lupus take cortisone medications for extended periods, which ups their risk for damage to the ball of the hip. This is known as osteonecrosis.
Do You Have an Autoimmune Disease?
If you have inflammation, joint pain or other vague symptoms, Autoimmune disorders and specialized testing are some of the regenerative medicine treatments offered at Integrative Telemedicine.
Our physicians will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your condition in order to determine which treatment might be best for you. They will explain your options so that you can make a decision you’re most comfortable with.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, call our friendly staff today at (520) 396-4866 or fill out our online request form. We look forward to being your healthcare partner.
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