Hip and Groin Pain Treatments | DW Osteopathy Chepstow

About Hip & Groin Pain

The Hip and Groin area is extremely complicated. The hip joint, like the shoulder joint, is a "ball and socket" joint. The joint is made up of the bones within the pelvis and the top of the thigh bone (femur).

A complex array of muscles, nerves and ligaments in the area travel in various directions to aid in the function of the hip.

The pelvis and the hips resolve forces within the body that occur during movement; e.g walking. During gait, forces travelling down the length of the spine will pass through the pelvis, into the hips and move through the legs and into the floor.

Often these bio-mechanical issues can be disrupted due to injury or poor posture, leading to the body conducting compensatory movements that will inevitably lead to other joints becoming injured.

Common Conditions

There are many conditions of the body that cause hip / groin pain, many of which can be treated by an osteopath. The most commonly reported experience of hip pain is exhibited in the older generations and is caused by general wear and tear (Osteoarthritis) of the hip joint. Despite being unable to reverse the wear and tear process, osteopaths are able to help with the pain that come with this condition.

In some situations, pain felt in and around the hip can be a referral from other joints within the pelvis or from joints or nerves of the lower back.

Here are some conditions of the hip, pelvis and lower back that can often produce pain in and around the hip:
- Osteoarthritis
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Nerve root irritation of the spine
- Sacroiliac irritation
- Bursitis
- Ligament sprain
- Dislocation
- Fracture
- Repetitive strain injury

Symptoms of Hip & Groin Pain

Hip Pain can vary in intensity and location of person to person. As mentioned above, pain experienced in the hip, can be a result of referred pain from the lower back. It is therefore crucial to make an accurate diagnosis from the symptoms experienced.

Here is a list of commonly reported symptoms at DW Osteopathy:
- Tenderness of skin and muscles of the side of the hip
- When laying on the hip, pain deep in the groin or on the side of the hip
- Muscle pain in groin or buttocks during exertion
- An audible "click" coming from the hip area
- Pain in the groin which is worse for being sedentary
- Pain in the lower abdomen/groin when coughing, sneezing or lifting something heavy
- Pain and tenderness at the front of the pelvis commonly in sporting individuals or pregnant women
- Pain during weight-bearing activities in pelvic, hip or groin region.
- No pain, but stiffness and less mobility in one hip.

Causes of Hip & Groin Pain

The hip joint is involved with nearly all movements of the human body. It is designed to withstand large amounts of that are constantly repeated throughout each day.

After many years the hips begin to show signs of "wear and tear"; structures designed to withstand large amounts of force begin to deteriorate and henceforth all hip related conditions become increasingly more likely.

Hip & Groin Pain is very common and can be caused by a variety of problems. The precise location of the pain can provide vital information as to the underlying cause.

Below is a list of commonly reported hip and groin related conditions seen by osteopaths:

Hip Bursitis

Hip bursitis is an inflammation of one of the bursaes (bur-sus) within the hip region. They are small fat filled pads located between two areas of friction. Typically experienced as tenderness, swelling and redness over the side of the hip. Painful when laying on the same side and when walking up stairs.

These bursaes prevent muscle and bone rubbing together and causing friction. They can become irritated when friction exceeds a certain level.

Snapping or Clunking Hip

This disturbing, but often innocent symptoms can sometimes be heard by moving the leg in different directions. It is quite often a result of a tight muscle within the pelvis / hip area that is flicking over a bony prominence of the upper thigh bone (femur).

Although the noise often doesn't cause problems, the tightness of the muscle in the pelvis region can make the individual more likely to incur a muscle strain or a hip bursitis.

Transient Synovitis

This condition is characterised by inflammation and irritation to the hip capsule (protective membrane surround the hip joint). The exact cause of this condition is unknown, however it is reasoned to believe that a possible viral infection and physical trauma are involved.

Symptoms include; pain when attempting to weight-bear (walking), running a low level fever, complaining of thigh or knee pain and irritability and crying in young children.

Muscle Strain

Often following a sporting accident, muscle or tendons can exhibit micro-tears from over stretching or direct trauma. Painful when stretching or contractive affected muscle / tendon. If not properly treated, scar tissue can remain after recovery, reducing overall muscle function.

Hernia

An Inguinal or Femoral hernia is a process involving a portion of the bowels (large intestines) pushing through the inner abdominal wall towards the skin.

Early identification is important to prevent further bowel problems. Pain is typically in the groin region, usually accompanied by a small lump that is made worse by coughing, sneezing and lifting heavy objects. Lump may disappear when subject lays down.

Pubic Symphysis Disorder

Commonly occurs during pregnancy when fluctuating hormone levels cause ligament laxity within the pelvis. Can also occur in high intensity sports; dancers, gymnasts and footballers.

Symptoms of this condition include; pain at the front of the pelvis (along the pubic bone), a waddling gait, clicking or grinding of the front of the pelvis and pain when separating legs; forwards or sideways.

Osteoarthritis (Wear and Tear)

Joint surfaces within the hip gradually begin to deteriorate, becoming less able to deal with high levels of pressure. Cartilage begins to wear down over time which causes joint narrowing; leading to pain, stiffness and limited joint range of motion.

Symptoms include; pain in the groin/hip, reduced range of motion of hip, grinding and crunching of hip when moving, pain worse for inactivity and inability to weight-bear on affected side.

Osteopathy Treatment for Hip & Groin Pain

An Osteopath can help reduce the symptoms of all the conditions mentioned above. Whilst some of them involve an irreversible process that osteopaths cannot address, osteopaths can help to reduce the pain being experienced and improve the general mobility of the body.

Each experience of the same condition is different, therefore for each individual, your osteopath will perform a series of examinations and tests on the hips to gain a unique understanding of each individual case. The hips are in close proximity to and are heavily influenced by the lower back, pelvis, knees and ankles; these areas will also be assessed to ensure an accurate diagnosis can be made.

Your osteopath will then explain clearly what is causing the discomfort and potential reasons as to why it came about. A treatment plan will be formulated and with patient consent, carried out.

Osteopathic treatment can be very successful in easing symptoms, improving mobility and helping return the body to optimum health.

Osteopathy for Hip and Groin Pain

Don't put up with Hip & Groin Pain!