Lateral hip pain is pain that affects the outer side of the hip. Pain in this area tin develop suddenly or gradually.

Both injury and overuse tin can cause hurting in the outer hip area. People use their hips constantly while walking, sitting, and moving throughout the day. As a outcome, hip hurting is a mutual trouble.

While outer hip pain may sometimes get away on its own, other cases require the help of a medical professional.

In this article, we look at some of the causes of outer hip pain, every bit well as treatment and prevention strategies.

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Outer hip pain is oftentimes due to bursitis or tendonitis, but in that location are several other possible causes.

Hip hurting on the outside of the hip ordinarily occurs considering of an upshot with one of the following:

  • tendons
  • bursa — a fluid filled sac that helps absorber certain bones
  • muscles
  • cartilage

These tissues surround the hip joint. Any of them tin wear down or become inflamed and cause pain. Bursitis and tendonitis, both overuse injuries, are very common causes of outer hip pain.

Hip pain, including outer hip pain, is common in athletes. Athletes who participate in activities such as running, soccer, and dancing are at run a risk for hip injuries. However, hip pain can bear on people of all ages and activity levels.

Mutual causes include:

Bursitis

A bursa is a pocket-sized sac containing fluid. Bursae help absorber and reduce friction betwixt a os and the overlying soft tissues.

Bursitis is a condition in which the bursa becomes inflamed and irritated.

Trochanteric bursitis involves the bursa that covers the outer attribute of the hip bone. The bursa becomes inflamed, resulting in pain that radiates to the outer thigh.

Larn more nigh bursitis here.

Tendonitis

A tendon is an anatomic structure that connects a muscle to a bone. Tendonitis is a status that occurs when a tendon becomes inflamed.

A tear in the gluteus medius tendon can too crusade outer hip pain. The gluteus medius is the muscle that goes from the buttocks to the hip bone and allows a person to lift their leg to the side.

Injury, overuse, and general wear and tear can lead to gluteus medius tendonitis, a tear in the tendon, or both. Both conditions can cause pain in the outer hip area and, in severe cases, weakness of the hip.

Learn more nigh tendonitis hither.

Other causes

Other causes of outer hip pain include:

  • Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It is more probable to affect people over the historic period of 50 years, particularly females.
  • Obesity: Carrying a higher amount of body weight places more force per unit area on the joints in the lower torso. Fat cells also promote inflammation. These factors may pb to hip pain or weather condition such as osteoarthritis.
  • Injury: A traumatic injury, whether from a fall or other accident, tin cause outer hip pain.
  • Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI): A condition in which the hip articulation is unable to movement freely. FAI affects the hip'south normal range of motion.
  • Referred back pain: A lower back problem may cause pain to radiate to the outer hip, too equally the buttocks, the back of the leg, and, sometimes, the front of the hip.

Certain activities can beal hip pain, including:

  • lying on the side of the body
  • crossing the legs
  • sitting downward, especially if people tuck their feet underneath them
  • continuing or leaning on one leg
  • walking uphill or up the stairs
  • climbing in or out of a car or bath

A medico will perform a physical exam to decide the cause of outer hip pain. They may also order 1 or more diagnostic tests.

These tests may include:

  • X-rays
  • CT scan
  • MRI browse
  • claret tests to check for infection or rheumatoid arthritis

Treatment for outer hip hurting usually involves physical therapy and hurting management strategies. People may control pain with:

  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
  • ice for the relief of hurting and swelling after concrete activity
  • heat
  • corticosteroid injections
  • massage

Some examples of strengthening and stretching exercises for outer hip hurting include:

  • Marching in place: Bring the knees upwards toward the breast without bringing the thigh college than a 90-caste bending.
  • Hip abduction: Hold onto a chair and lift the left sideways without rotating at the hip. Agree for several seconds, and then lower the leg slowly.
  • Hip extension: Agree onto a chair or other surface and movement the leg backward without bending the knee. Flex the buttock and concur for several seconds.
  • Heel to bottom: From a standing position, curve the leg backside the body, bringing the heel toward the buttock. Keep the hips in line with the shoulders, and keep the knees in line with each other.
  • Bridge: Lie on the back with the knees bent and the flat feet. Lift the pelvis and lower back. Agree the position for several seconds, then slowly lower downward.

A person performing whatsoever of the above exercises should end if they feel sharp or increasing pain in the hip joint.

A medical professional or physical therapist can provide communication on which exercises and stretches are appropriate depending on the crusade of hip hurting.

People may likewise detect relief by altering how they sleep, sit, and stand up. If hip pain occurs at nighttime, sleeping on 1 side or the dorsum may help reduce discomfort.

Sitting for likewise long or in an awkward position, such as cross-legged, can likewise worsen hip pain.

Although information technology is uncommon, people may sometimes require surgery for outer hip hurting, depending on the underlying crusade.

People should seek medical attention if their hip pain is the event of a severe injury.

A doctor tin can help diagnose and care for the consequence if the pain does not go away, gets worse, or begins to bear upon regular activities and sleep.

A doctor should also evaluate pain that spreads to other areas, such as the lower back.

People with pain that does not ease after 2 weeks of taking NSAIDs should make an appointment with a doc to detect culling forms of relief.

Anyone who finds that stretching and strengthening exercises crusade soreness that lasts longer than a few days should as well see a doctor.

Treating the underlying cause of outer hip hurting, such as injury or infection, tin aid treat the pain.

Crumbling can also cause various aches and pains, including outer hip pain. Notwithstanding, hip pain should not have a negative result on a person'due south regular daily activities.

Strategies and treatment options are bachelor for people with outer hip pain. Full relief from all pain, however, may take some time.

People may exist able to avoid reoccurring outer hip pain by:

  • allowing acceptable residuum and recovery after rigorous physical activity
  • losing weight, if appropriate
  • sticking to a strengthening and stretching program
  • wearing flat shoes and proper footwear for exercise

Outer hip pain, which often results from overuse, tin be uncomfortable and even debilitating. Sometimes, the pain is enough to prevent everyday activities and disturb sleep.

It can be difficult to residual the afflicted hip completely, only limiting vigorous practise and avoiding movements that cause pain can aid the healing process.

If pain persists beyond 2 weeks, a person should consult a md. They tin can diagnose the cause of the outer hip pain and discover the right treatment program.