Explanation:
The hip joint is a ball and socket joint formed by the head of the femur (thigh bone) and the acetabulum of the hip bone (the socket in your pelvis) that allows a considerable degree of movement in all directions. The extreme stability of the hip joint is related to the very strong articular capsule and its accessory ligaments, the manner in which the femur fits into the acetabulum, and the muscles surrounding the joint, and dislocation of this joint is very rare in younger people.
Causes:
Pain in the hip and groin can be caused by:
- referred pain from the low back, pelvis, knees and buttocks
- muscle strains and tendinopathies of the muscles in the inner thigh
- fractures
- osteoarthritis
- trochanteric bursitis (inflammation of the bursa)
- sports involving twisting, turning and kicking such as football, can lead to acute pain
Cartilage injuries such as chondral lesions and labral tears (the labrum is the rim of fibrocartilage that makes the hip socket deeper) may lead to impingement. Early identification of these problems is important as these injuries generally respond poorly to conservative treatment and often require surgery.
Treatment:
Treatment of hip and groin injuries will focus on eliminating the underlying causes, and may include:
- manual therapy techniques to the lumbar spine and pelvis
- soft tissue therapy to tight muscles of the region
- exercise therapy
See also - Jaw Pain, Shoulder, Elbow & Forearm, Wrist & Hand, Pelvic Pain, Hip & Groin, Thigh, Knee, Shin, Foot, Head & Neck, Upper Back/Thoracic Spine, Lower Back, Buttocks, Calf & Achillies Tendon, Ankle