Hip Pain

What causes hip pain?

The most likely reasons for having hip pain include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is probably the most common reason for hip pain, especially in later life. This form of arthritis develops over time due to a gradual wearing away of the protective cartilage, a substance that covers the ends of the bones inside your joints.

Bursitis

Bursae are sacs of fluid in your joints that stop your bones, tendons, and muscles from rubbing together. Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae, and it develops from pressure on the joint or because of overuse.

Tendinitis

Tendons attach your muscles to your bones. Tendinitis develops when tendons get irritated and inflamed due to injury or repetitive strain.

Labral tear

The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the socket part of your hip joint. In addition to cushioning the joint, the labrum helps to keep the ball-shaped end of your femur (thigh bone) securely attached to the socket. Labral tears can be due to an injury or result from overuse.

You could also suffer a hip fracture, possibly from trauma like an auto accident or sports injury, but it’s most often due to falls in older age.

Your bones gradually weaken as you get older, meaning they’re more vulnerable to fractures. If you develop osteoporosis, the risk of fractures is far higher.

What are the treatments for hip pain?

Common causes of hip pain such as arthritis and bursitis require a combination of rest, activity modification, medication, and physical therapy. For most people, these therapies are effective in reducing pain and improving function.

You might also benefit from treatments like therapeutic massage, acupuncture, or extracorporeal pulse activation technology (EPAT®).

Depending on what is causing your hip pain, Dr. Snowball might also recommend regenerative medicine treatments. These natural remedies use human cells — often taken from your own body — to promote healing and tissue generation.

What types of regenerative medicine can help with hip pain?

Regenerative medicine therapies that could be helpful for hip pain include:

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

PRP uses growth factors taken from a sample of your blood to stimulate new cell growth.

Stem cell therapy

Stem cells play a vital role in the natural healing process. Injecting them in a concentrated dose boosts your body’s ability to repair and replace damaged tissues. Exosome therapy is a type of stem cell therapy that uses just part of the stem cell.

Placental matrix

A rich source of healing cells, placental matrix tissue is donated by healthy mothers following the birth of a child.