Armor Physical Therapy Is Ready To Help Treat Your Hip Pain
Do you have sharp, stabbing pain in your hip? Our therapy specialists at Armor Physical Therapy are here to help you. We offer free screenings that can reveal the source of your hip pain. Our team also excels at building personalized therapy plans intended to reduce hip pain. You can even get therapy from home thanks to our virtual care and at-home therapy services, and none of our services require that you have a doctors referral.
Contact us today for more information about how we can help with your hip pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
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Summary Of Hip Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis of the hip is common and can result in severe hip joint pain and disability. as a result of this condition, several hundred thousand people each year in the U.S. undergo total hip replacement.
- Most people with osteoarthritis of the hip can be managed without surgery.
- The cause of osteoarthritis of the hip is not known but some risk factors include obesity, severe hip trauma, and acquired conditions in adulthood, such as osteonecrosis and genetics.
- There are many other kinds of arthritis that can affect the hip. It is important to make sure that the correct diagnosis is made as some of these other conditions are treated very differently.
- The diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the hip is usually very straightforward and is made in almost all cases by a physician taking a thorough history, performing a physical examination, and getting x-rays with the patient standing up.
- Patients usually seek care for the typical symptoms of hip arthritis, including pain located in the groin thigh or buttock. The pain associated with osteoarthritis of the hip is generally worse with weight bearing or twisting. Stiffness and leg-length inequality are other symptoms.
Is Sudden Sharp Hip Pain That Comes And Goes Common For Hip Osteoarthritis Patients
Hip osteoarthritis affects each patient in unique ways, but its something that many of us might have to deal with as we get older. In fact, its estimated that about 19% of men and 29% of women will develop hip osteoarthritis in their lifetime.
There are two types of pain that patients with this type of arthritis typically report. The first is a dull aching or throbbing sort of pain. The second is episodes of sudden sharp pain in the hip that come and go. Studies also show that hip osteoarthritis pain is more predictable than that of knee osteoarthritis. This means that there are certain steps you can take to reduce it.
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This Issue Is Likely Causing The Sharp Stabbing Pain In Your Hip
A few issues can cause pain and dysfunction in your hip joints. Hip osteoarthritis and referred pain from the lower back can easily cause hips to be painful. However, people who are feeling sharp, stabbing pains in their hip are likely dealing with an issue called femoroacetabular impingement .
FAI occurs when the rim of cartilage around the socket of the hip joint, or labrum, is damaged or torn. Typically, this condition leads to symptoms such as:
- Sharp, stabbing pain in the groin area or outer hip
- Discomfort when sitting, particularly in low seats
- Catching, popping, snapping or clicking sensations in the hip
Is Walking Good For Hip Pain

Even if you have arthritis in a weight-bearing joint like your knee or hip, walking is the best way to begin the transition from inactive to active. Walking can help relieve arthritis pain, but its not the only thing it can do for you. The benefits of walking are many.
It can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, dementia, Alzheimers, Parkinsons and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as improve your quality of life, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons . Walking can also help you lose weight, which is good for your waistline and overall health.
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How Do I Know When It Is Time To See A Doctor For My Hip Pain
If your hip feels painful or stiff, you have lost range of motion, and you are unable to perform certain activities due to hip pain or dysfunction, you might consider seeing a doctor for your hip pain. If you have tried home remedies like rest, ice, heat, and over-the-counter pain medications with no improvement, it is recommended that you see a doctor for recommendations on exercises and other available treatment options. If hip pain occurs after an accident or fall, seek emergency medical care immediately.
If you are in the Baton Rouge area and need to see a doctor for hip pain, Dr. Craig Greene is accepting new patients. Please call our office at or use our Appointment Request form to schedule a consultation.
Expert Answers For Hip Instability Or Dislocated Hip
Whether your hip instability or hip dislocation is due to an accident, sports injury, or congenital condition, we have the expertise and experience to get you moving again.
Our orthopedic team offers:
- Expert treatment: Our team of more than 70 orthopedic and sports medicine doctors has years of experience and specialized training in joint care. That expertise means you can rely on us to find the cause of hip instability and recommend the right treatment for you.
- Minimally invasive treatment options: Our surgeons offer hip arthroscopy a minimally invasive procedure using small incisions to tighten ligaments and stabilize the hip. Minimally invasive procedures cause less damage to your body than traditional surgery, leading to faster recoveries and a lower risk of infection after procedures. Learn more about minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery.
- Comprehensive care: Youll find all the providers you need in our single, integrated health system. Here, our orthopedic specialists and sports medicine doctors work closely with primary care doctors and physical therapists to provide personalized treatment to help you move more comfortably and confidently.
- Convenient locations: Locations across eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois mean you can find a doctor and physical therapist close to home. See our locations.
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Hip Bursitis Or Tendonitis
Tendonitis and bursitis in the hip are usually caused by overuse and may make it difficult to move the hip joint and cause pain and swelling. Tendonitis is swelling and irritation of the tendons and bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa. These conditions can usually be treated successfully with rest, cold compress, anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy.
What To Do If Your Hip Gives Out Suddenly With Sharp Pain
When a hip gives out suddenly with sharp pain, then one should consider it an alarm to visit a pain doctor. Hip injury often occurs among athletes and it can happen to anyone who does repetitive motions, like running or walking.
An individual will suddenly feel mild to extreme pain in the hip in such a condition. Sharp pain in the hip joint can be found among runners, racquetball players, football players, hitchhikers, swimmers, and anyone who exercises consistently in one form or another. The cause of the pain is usually a torn labrum which causes sudden friction as the ball moves through the socket in the hip.
Heres what one of the patients told the pain doctor while approaching for hip pain treatment and care.
I had been having pain in my lower back for a while, but it was getting worse. It was just a dull ache but I started having sharp pains in my hip which I could only stand for a few seconds before they got to be intolerable. I couldnt sleep the night before because of it and it hurts to get out of bed.
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How Can You Have Fewer Episodes Of Sudden Sharp Hip Pain That Comes And Goes
Episodes of sudden sharp hip osteoarthritis pain are often triggered by specific factors. Some of the triggers for episodes of intense hip osteoarthritis pain include:
- Sitting or lying down for long periods of time
- Spreading your legs
- Rotating your feet inward or outward
- Getting into or out of a car
- Prolonged periods of physical activity
When Should I Seek Emergency Care
Contact your doctor if you have hip pain that lasts longer than a few days. They can come up with a plan to manage pain and treat your condition.
However, you should contact your doctor immediately if the hip is bleeding or you can see exposed bone or muscle, a popping noise occurs, or you cant bear weight.
Also, seek immediate help if your hip joint appears deformed or is swollen, or if you have severe pain.
Prompt medical attention is necessary for hip pain accompanied by any of the following:
These may be signs of serious conditions, including septic arthritis, which is a joint infection. If its left untreated, septic arthritis can lead to deformed joints and osteoarthritis.
For pain that could be related to a condition such as arthritis, your doctor will ask you a range of questions, including:
- Is the pain worse at a time of day?
- Does it affect your ability to walk?
- When did your symptoms first appear?
You may need to walk around to let your doctor observe the joint in motion. Theyll measure the motion in the normal and abnormal hip and compare the two.
To diagnose arthritis, your doctor will perform fluid and imaging tests. Fluid tests involve taking samples of blood, urine, and joint fluid for testing in a laboratory. Imaging tests may include:
The treatment of hip pain depends on the cause. For exercise-related pain, rest is usually enough to allow the hip to heal. This type of pain is typically gone within a few days.
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Keep Your Hips Healthy
To help prevent hip pain, Nho suggests the following:
- Control your weight
- Stretch or do yoga regularly
- Strengthen your core
- Get annual check-ups
- Exercise regularly, but make sure to do exercises that are appropriate for your age and physical condition
If your hip pain is intense or long lasting, visit your primary care physician. You might then be referred to a specialist for a closer look.
Pain On The Side Of Your Hip Is More Likely From Tendinitis Tight Muscles Or Another Condition

Hip bursitis an inflammation between your thighbone and nearby tendons is commonly diagnosed when patients have pain on the outer side of the hip. However, several other conditions can cause similar pain, and require different treatments. “Doctors often assume that pain on the outer side of the hip is due to bursitis. But 90% of the time, it’s not bursitis,” says Dr. Lauren Elson, a physiatrist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
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Why Is A Common Hip Problem So Frequently Misdiagnosed
Dr. Thomas Ellis is an orthopedic surgeon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Ellis contributed this article to LiveScience’s Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.
Femoral acetabular impingement. You may not have heard of it, but it’s a hip problem many people across the United States are dealing with.
Hip pain is traditionally associated with older adults, but everyone from young athletes to “weekend warriors” and even non-athletes can be at risk for developing this hip problem. Last month, Oakland University announced basketball senior forward Raphael Carter will undergo surgery for hip impingement and will miss the season. University officials reported that he had been waiting over the summer to finally get the correct diagnosis. Many people suffering with hip pain may have femoral acetabular impingement and not realize it.
Femoral acetabular impingement is a condition where the bony parts of the hip joint are misshapen. As a result, the ball of the femur does not fit perfectly in the acetabulum . This causes friction in the joint and often results in tearing of the hip labrum . As the hip flexes and rotates, the front of the ball hits the front of the socket causing a collision known as an “impingement.” Over time, repeated collisions of the ball with the front of the socket can tear the labrum and damage the adjacent cartilage, resulting in pain and loss of function.
Does Hip Arthritis Show Up On Xray
Delays in diagnosis and treatment can be caused by X-rays not detecting hip arthritis in many patients. The researchers looked at information from thousands of Americans who had hip replacements.
The study, published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, found that about one-third of the patients had no hip or knee pain at the time of surgery, and the rest had mild to moderate pain.
However, the majority of patients with hip and knee arthritis were diagnosed with osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that causes pain, stiffness and loss of range of motion.
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Move Of The Month: Seated Pretzel
Stretches the buttocks, hips, and outer thighs.
Reps: 24
Hold: 1030 seconds
Starting position: Sit up straight in a chair and rest your left ankle on your right thigh above your knee. Place your hands on your thighs.
Movement: Keeping your spine neutral, slowly hinge forward from your hips until you feel a stretch in your left hip and buttock. Hold. Slowly return to the starting position. Repeat with your right ankle on your left knee. This is one rep.
Tips and techniques: Keep your spine neutral, not rounded, and your chest lifted as you lean forward. Keep your shoulders down and back, away from your ears, as you stretch. For a deeper stretch, gently press down with the hand on your bent leg.
Hip Impingement Tests And Diagnosis
If you have symptoms of hip impingement, your doctor can diagnose the problem based on your description of your symptoms, a physical exam, and the findings of imaging tests. These tests may include one or more of the following:
- X-ray, a test that produces images of internal structures on film. X-rays can show irregularities in the shape of the ball or top of the thigh bone or excess bone around the rim of the socket.
- Magnetic resonance imaging , a procedure that uses large magnets, radio waves, and a computer to produce detailed pictures of tissues inside the body. An MRI can show fraying or tears of the cartilage, including that which runs along rim of the socket .
- CT scan, a technique that combines special X-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. These images can be examined on a computer, printed, or transferred to a CD. A CT or MRI scan can help a doctor decide whether you need surgery.
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Can Hip Pain Cause Problems Anywhere Else
You may feel some pain in the buttock, groin, back, thigh or knee.
If you experience these for longer than 6 weeks, you may need to speak to a healthcare professional.
Occasionally, problems felt in your hip can be due to a back problem – even though you don’t feel pain in your back. People with this sort of problem often describe the pain as pins and needles, sharp, hot or burning pain, usually in the leg.
If you have any of these symptoms it would be helpful to read about back problems.
Common Causes Of Hip Pain
Hip pain is all too common, with everyone from recent college graduates to grandparents at risk.
But why you are suffering can be difficult to pinpoint. To get the proper diagnosis, the best clues are the type of pain and where it is located.
Here, Shane Nho, MD, MS, a hip preservation specialist at Rush, looks at seven common causes of hip pain including some might surprise you.
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What To Do About A Constant Sharp Stabbing Pain In The Hip
The hips joints help swing your leg while youre walking the dog. They also allow you to swing your leg out when getting out of the car and make many other common movements possible. However, even these normal daily activities can be a trial if your hip is painful.
Unfortunately, people are all too likely to develop hip pain. Medical researchers report that up to 40% of athletes develop chronic hip pain, and up to 15% of adults over 60 also experience pain in this joint. There is one issue that commonly causes constant sharp, stabbing pain in the hip. Luckily, there are also several treatment options that can help you deal with this issue.
Treating With Ice Or Heat

Heat or ice can be beneficial in the management of musculoskeletal pain.
Ice is most beneficial if your hip problem is related to an injury. You can try heat to help your pain levels if there’s no swelling and your symptoms are not related to a recent injury.
Never place ice or heat directly on your skin. Use a barrier, like a towel, to protect your skin from a burn.
How long you use ice as a treatment can vary. However, you should generally apply heat or ice for up to 15 minutes. You should also leave a few hours between treatments.
You should stop treating the area with ice or heat and seek advice from a medical professional if you notice an increase in redness, discolouration or blistering of the skin.
If you have any issues with circulation or sensation, you shouldn’t use ice or heat as a treatment for hip pain.
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