Sore hips are not a laughing manner. When one has a hip injury or inflammation, sitting, standing, walking, and just living one’s daily life can be challenging. While there are many reasons people experience hip pain in Jacksonville, including being overstressed, the following is a brief overview of the three most common causes of hip discomfort.
Arthritis
In older adults, osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the most common reasons for hip pain. The discomfort is caused by increased joint inflammation and the gradual breakdown of cartilage that acts as a cushion around the hip bones. People affected by OA and RA experience range of motion limitations and stiffness.
Hip Fractures
Although a person of any age can break a hip, fractures are most common in older adults because of weakened and brittle bones. In many cases, the person doesn’t have to hit their hip hard for a fracture to occur.
Bursitis
This painful hip condition affects the bursae, a liquid-filled sac between tissues of the bones, muscles, and tendons. Sometimes, when the hip is overworked from repetitive movements, the bursae sac becomes inflamed. This irritates the hip joint.
When is it time to see a doctor for hip pain in Jacksonville? The right time to schedule that appointment is when the pain isn’t treatable with over-the-counter remedies like pain relievers or ice/heat therapy or if the pain is severe and mobility severely limited. Hip injuries take time to heal, so it’s best for people experiencing painful symptoms to see their doctor right away for treatment options.
