Chronic, dull pain in the hip when standing and walking

Hip pain can be contributed to a number of issues ranging from a pulled muscle to arthritis of the hip joint. The type of pain and how long it lasts is typically indicative of the cause of your pain. For example, a sharp pain in the hip when exercising could mean that you have an issue with your hip flexor muscle. Shooting pain when walking or standing could be a sign of a compressed sciatic nerve in the lower back. However, a chronic pain that is dull or mild is likely caused by osteoarthritis of the hip.

If you are experiencing a dull pain in your hip that lasts longer than a few days or a week, you should contact your doctor to determine the cause of your pain. If your symptoms are caused by arthritis of the hip, there are a few steps you can take to help relieve your pain.

What is arthritis of the hip?

Osteoarthritis of the hip occurs when the cartilage that surrounds the bones in the hip joint slowly thins, leaving the bones exposed and unprotected. Often, this is caused by natural wear and tear of the body due to repetitive motion, age and improper footwear over the years. As the cartilage wears down, the bones in the hip joint rub against each other during weight-bearing movements, such as standing or walking. This causes inflammation in the joint, which results in a dull, chronic pain.

Treatment options for dull pain in the hip joint

Most patients who are diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the hip will be recommended to undergo physical therapy. Physical therapy can help reduce the inflammation in the hip joint through the following methods:

• Practicing proper hip alignment to reduce friction in the joint
• Strengthening the core to reduce pressure on the hip joint
• Stretching to relieve any muscle tension that is also causing pressure on the hip joint

Many patients are able to find relief after several weeks of consecutive physical therapy. To learn more about what could be causing the dull pain in your hip and how physical therapy can help, contact our team at Back in Motion today to schedule an appointment.