In most instances, discomfort within the hip or groin region stems from issues with the hip joint itself. Conversely, pain on the outer side of the hip, upper thigh, or buttock area commonly arises from problems with the surrounding muscles, ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues. Additionally, hip pain can sometimes be attributable to lower back disorders.
Conditions causing hip pain that we address at The Joint Pain Clinic include:
Hip Osteoarthritis – Arthritis: This condition involves the deterioration of cartilage in the hip joint, resulting in the rough grinding of bone surfaces, leading to pain and stiffness. Treatment options vary based on severity and patient age, ranging from nonsurgical to surgical interventions.
Hip Impingement Syndrome: A disruption in the smooth motion of the hip joint due to abnormalities in either the ball or socket can lead to hip impingement. This condition, also known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), can be of two types: Pincer and Cam. Repetitive hip flexion can exacerbate cartilage issues within the socket, contributing to impingement symptoms.
Greater Trochanter Pain Syndrome – Trochanteric Bursitis: Characterised by pain in the outer hip and upper thigh region, trochanteric bursitis often radiates toward the knee and buttocks. Inflammation of the bursas around the hip's outer side, possibly due to wear and tear changes in gluteal tendons, commonly causes this discomfort.
Ischial Bursitis: Prolonged sitting on hard surfaces can lead to the swelling of fluid-filled sacs in the pelvis, causing ischial bursitis. Symptoms include difficulty in walking, running, or sitting, which can be alleviated with proper treatment aimed at reducing inflammation.
Hamstring Strains: Common among various athletes, hamstring strains involve discomfort in the back of the leg due to the injury of the hamstring muscles, which play a crucial role in knee flexion.
Deep Gluteal Pain Syndrome: Characterised by discomfort and numbness in the buttocks, deep gluteal pain can extend down the back of the leg. Similar conditions may share symptoms with this syndrome.
Assessment and Diagnosis: Our initial consultation, lasting approximately 45 minutes, involves a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment and discussion of diagnosis and treatment options. Diagnostic Ultrasound Scan supplements conventional assessments, providing detailed information on soft tissue conditions.
Treatment: Our advanced musculoskeletal clinicians are adept at administering injections in soft tissues and joints with ultrasound guidance. Treatment plans may include medication prescriptions and recommendations for injections, alongside physiotherapy sessions.
Injection options vary for hip pain, depending on factors such as the severity and diagnosis.
These options at The Joint Pain Clinic include:
Corticosteroid injections (with ultrasound guidance)
Platelet-Rich Plasma injections
Hyaluronic Acid (Gel) injections such as Durolane and Ostenil Plus (with ultrasound guidance)
The procedure is conducted by an experienced clinician.
It is essential to consult a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable treatment approach for hand & wrist pain.