Causes of Hip Tendonitis
Hip Tendonitis can be caused by various factors, including:
Degenerative Changes: As we age, the tendons between our bones and muscles become less elastic and flexible, becoming more prone to getting inflamed.
Overuse: Repetitive activities involving the hip joint can strain tendons. This is common in athletes that run, cycle, or swim.
Trauma: Previous hip injuries or accidents can contribute to the development of hip tendonitis.
Rapid Increase in Activity Level: A sudden increase in intensity or duration of physical activity can strain the hip tendon if the body is not adequately conditioned for the new activity level.
Symptoms of Hip Tendonitis
The most common symptom is pain in the hip. It may gradually develop and worsen over time. Other symptoms include:
- Tenderness on the hip
- Hip stiffness in the morning and after long periods of rest
- Pain that lessens with exercise but intensifies later in the day
- Discomfort when contracting the muscles in the hip
- Mild swelling
- A snapping sound when tendon rubs against hip bone
- Trouble laying on your side at night
Impact of Hip Tendonitis
Hip Tendonitis can lead to several conditions:
- Hip Bursitis: Tendonitis of the hip can lead to strain of other areas of the hip leading to bursitis.
- Hip Osteoarthritis: Chronic inflammation can contribute to degeneration of joint cartilage and underlying bone leading to hip osteoarthritis..
- Labral Tears: The hip labrum, a ring of cartilage around the hip socket, can be damaged by increased stress from tendonitis resulting in a labral tear.
Diagnosis of Hip Tendonitis
Diagnosing hip tendonitis typically involves:
Medical History: Discussion of symptoms, past medical conditions, and any history of hip injuries.
Physical Examination: Assessment of reflexes, muscle strength, range of motion, flexibility, joint stability, and sensation.
Diagnostic Imaging: X-rays to assess for fractures or arthritis, CT scans or MRI scans to visualize soft tissue of the hip and thickened tendon.
Treatment of Hip Bursitis
Treatment options include:
Conservative Treatments: Non-surgical approaches include:
Medications: Such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or muscle relaxants for pain management.
Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen hip muscles and improve range of motion.
Steroid Injections: Targeted injections to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
Acupuncture or Chiropractic Care: Some patients find relief through alternative therapies.
Surgical Intervention: When conservative measures are ineffective or symptoms worsen, surgery
may be considered:
Tendon Repair: Stitching the torn ends of the tendon back together..
Tendon Release: Cutting a small piece of tendon to relieve the excessive tension
Tendon Debridement: Removing damaged or scarred tissue from the tendon to promote healing of the remaining healthy tissue.
Prognosis: Hip tendonitis had a good prognosis for full recovery with proper treatment. However, for some it is a chronic injury that could take weeks or months to heal. If pain persists despite activity modification, treatment with steroid injection or surgery may be necessary as it could lead to tendon rupture.
Procedure Videos
Steroid Injection
References:
https://www.beaumont.org/conditions/hip-tendonitis
Frizziero A, Vittadini F, Pignataro A, Gasparre G, Biz C, Ruggieri P, Masiero S. Conservative management of tendinopathies around hip. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2016 Dec 21;6(3):281-292. doi: 10.11138/mltj/2016.6.3.281. PMID: 28066732; PMCID: PMC5193517.