The hip is the largest joint in the body. It corresponds to the junction between the head of the femur (thigh bone) and the pelvis and it contains many ligaments, tendons and muscles.

Hip pain can manifest itself in various ways, locally or more widely.

Often, pain associated with a hip disorder will be “misleading”, localized for example in the groin, buttock, or even in the leg or knee.

Conversely, the pain can be felt in the hip and actually come from a more distant point (the back or the groin, in particular).

Given the disabling nature of hip pain, it is important to consult your doctor without delay in order to benefit from adequate follow-up.

Hip pain has various origins. However, in people over 50, they are most often linked to osteoarthritis. Hip osteoarthritis, or coxarthrosis, affects about 3% of adults.

To better identify the cause of the pain, the doctor will be interested in:

• history (Was there a trauma? A fall? Did the patient play sports intensively?)
• the location of the pain (Does it radiate to the buttock, leg, lower back?)
• to its character (mechanical, inflammatory, nocturnal, etc.)
• associated signs (stiffness, discomfort and repercussions on daily life, etc.)

There are several risk factors for osteoarthritis of the hip, including:

• known family history,
• intensive practice of certain sports or professional movements
• known hip defect

Different types of inflammatory rheumatism like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis can also affect the hip.

Other possible causes include:

• osteonecrosis (partial destruction) of the femoral head, itself potentially due to several factors, such as prolonged use of corticosteroids, dyslipidemia, sickle cell anemia (blood disease), air embolism, etc.
• the bill of the neck of the femur, often related to age, osteoporosis, or the prolonged intake of corticosteroids.
• other traumatic pain such as dislocation or dislocation, tear of the labrum, tendonitis of the psoas (iliac psoas is a muscle that attaches to the front of the spine at the lumbar level and on the anterior aspect of the thigh ), tendonitis of the gluteus medius
• An inguinal or crural hernia
• A nerve “pinching”, due to a herniated disc, sciatica, spinal stenosis, etc.
• Cancer (bone metastases, leukemia, etc.)

An x-ray or MRI can help the doctor, if necessary, make the diagnosis

Because of their impact on walking, these pains are quickly disabling.

They can interfere with daily activities and therefore should be taken care of as quickly as possible.

Everything obviously depends on the causes.

In case of osteoarthritis, analgesic treatments based on paracetamol (acetaminophen) are recommended during attacks. It is important to continue with gentle physical activities, such as walking, water aerobics, stretching, etc. They help maintain mobility and strengthen the muscles in the area.

Physical therapy or physiotherapy exercises can help mobilize the joint without injuring it.

If the joint is damaged too much, surgery to replace the joint with a prosthesis may be performed.

If you have inflammatory rheumatism, you will be prescribed medicines such as corticosteroids, methotrexate or sulfasalazine.

Finally, if the pain is caused by injury or shock, rest and rehabilitation sessions may be required.