For most young people, the only time they will experience hip pain is when they bang it on the counter as they walk by. But despite the fact that so many people associate hip pain with pensioners, it is not unheard of to experience it in your youth. Usually when this happens, there are a few issues that are the most likely cause, so below are some of the most common causes of hip pain in young people.
Hip dysplasia is the most common cause of hip pain in young adults, as well as the most common cause of osteoarthritis in the hip. Hip dysplasia, also known as developmental dysplasia of the hip, is when the hip joint is somewhat misshapen. For example, the hip socket could be too shallow, or orientated to the back or sides rather than the front. This condition usually requires some form of surgery, such as surgical dislocation, or osteochondroplasty, where the bones are reshaped to create a better fit. The good news is that these surgeries can often mean that a total hip replacement is not necessary further down the line. If the problem is detected in infancy, wearing a brace for a few months could also solve the problem.
In children aged 3-10, the most common cause of hip pain is transient synovitis. It is not known exactly what causes transient synovitis, but it appears to manifest after the child has had some sort of viral infection, meaning it could be an immune response. There are many symptoms of the condition, such as hip pain after extended periods of sitting, pain in the knees and thighs, and a change to walking patterns, such as walking with toes pointed out, on tippy toes, or refusing to walk at all. Thankfully, most cases of transient synovitis can be resolved in a few short weeks by using anti-inflammatories.
Another possible explanation for the onset of hip pain in young people is another condition we don’t often consider: arthritis. Arthritis comes in many forms, and can be caused by many different things, such as genetic factors and medical history. Septic arthritis is one example, usually brought on by an infection, and possibly treatable with antibiotics. Another common form of arthritis in young people is juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which is usually treated with a combination of medication and physical therapy.
While it is normal for people of all ages to experience aches and pains around their body, it is worth paying a little extra attention to hip pain. The hips don’t generally experience as much minor pain as other parts of the body, such as the legs or neck, so any sort of pain could signal an underlying issue. If you or your child are experiencing persistent hip pain, a visit to the doctor today could help alleviate the pain and prevent more serious problems from arising further down the line.
