Hip pain

Symptoms of this condition may include one or more of the following:

• Pain, discomfort or tenderness when you press the affected area or when laying on that particular side of the body.
• Pain in the hip that radiates through the buttock and down the outside thigh to the knee area.
• Swelling and inflammation.
• Redness or warmth from infection.
• Increase of pain during and after long periods of sitting, walking, running, using stairs or other physical activity that causes repeated trauma to the area.
• Limping or difficulty walking without pain.

Inflammation of the trochanteric bursa occurs when muscles or tendons rub over the bursa and cause friction between it and the thighbone. This can be caused by repetitive trauma to the area, leading to a gradual onset or from direct trauma such as a fall, collision or other forceful impact to the hip. Some of the more common causes of inflammation are:

• Tightness in the hip muscles and weak muscles in the buttocks.
• Abnormal walking patterns due to poor function in the feet or lower limbs.
• Difference in leg length.
• Lower back problems.
• Osteoarthritis in the hips or lower back.
• Scoliosis (abnormal lateral curve of the spine).
• Lack of core strength to support the pelvis and trunk of the body.

Dan Everson Podiatry can diagnose trochanteric bursitis through history taking, a physical examination of the hip and legs and a biomechanical assessment to study your range of movement. Pressing or applying pressure to the trochanter area may replicate pain or discomfort that will further aid correct diagnosis.

Other tests are not usually required but may be used if infection of the bursa is suspected. An X-ray or MRI may assist if diagnosis is not clear using other methods.

trochanteric bursitis will typically resolve itself over time but it may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months before you are pain free. This is normal and usually not indicative of a more serious condition or further damage to the hip joint.

Dan Everson Podiatry would typically suggest one or more of the following treatment methods:

• Rest and refraining from undertaking exercise and physical activities that aggravate the condition.
• Anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling.
• Applying ice to the area after exercise or movement that causes pain.
• Keep your weight within a healthy range for your age and demographic.
• Using a cane or crutch during recovery to keep weight off the affected hip whilst you walk.
• Kinetic Orthotics can be prescribed to correct abnormalities or imbalances in the foot and leg. This is a range recommended by Dan Everson Podiatry, designed using patent-protected technology to optimise the way force is transferred as you move.

Dan Everson Podiatry recommends the following activities to help prevent an onset or recurrence of trochanteric bursitis:

• Monitor and regulate your workouts and physical activities to limit the amount of stress and trauma to the hip joint.
• Warm up before undertaking exercise and avoid starting new exercises at full intensity until you are used to the movements.
• Stop if you feel pain around the area.
• Strengthen muscles in your core, hip area and buttocks to improve your balance and control during movement.
• Keep your weight within a healthy range.
• Orthotics may be prescribed to help prevent an occurrence of this condition in those at risk.

There are varying degrees of ITB syndrome. Depending on the severity, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• An ache or burning pain outside the knee and occasionally outside of the thigh and hip joint.
• Pain in the above areas that increases during running or other repetitive movements and improves with rest.
• Swelling at the outside of the affected knee.
• Limping after exercise or periods of repetitive activity.

Some of the most common causes of ITB include:

• Overuse and repetitive strain caused by increasing the distances you run or your general training intensity.
• Inward rolling of the knees and hips during running.
• Worn out, damaged, inappropriate or unsupportive footwear.
• Downhill running or running on uneven surfaces.
• Weak gluteal muscles, hip muscles and hip rotators.
• Difference in leg length, bowed legs, abnormal pelvic tilt and flat feet.

In determining whether you are suffering from ITB syndrome, Dan Everson Podiatry would typically ask questions about your symptoms and health history. A careful physical examination of your posture and body and limb movement when walking will assist diagnosis. In some cases it may be necessary to conduct an ultrasound or MRI.

With adequate treatment and care most cases of ITB syndrome can be resolved within a timeframe of six weeks to six months.

There are simple measures that can relieve symptoms of ITB syndrome such as rest, icing the affected area on the knee and regular stretching of the ITB area.

Depending on the effectiveness of these, it may be necessary to undertake one or more of the following treatments:

• Use pain-relief and anti-inflammatory medication.
• Review and modify your training program to avoid excessive or repetitive running movements and activities.
• Strengthening of the knee, hip and leg muscles.
• Correct your running and landing technique.
• If you have a gait imbalance, Kinetic Orthotics from Dan Everson Podiatry may be prescribed and inserted into your footwear to help balance weight loading in the foot and guide motion of the foot during walking and running. This is a range recommended by Dan Everson Podiatry, designed using patent-protected technology to optimise the way force is transferred as you move.

Dan Everson Podiatry recommends the following steps to help prevent ITB syndrome:

• Avoid running on hard surfaces such as concrete or bitumen.
• If running on the road, change direction often so that both legs are exposed equally to inconsistencies in the road.
• Gradually increase your running distance and intensity. Avoid sudden and drastic increases to mileage and effort.
• Ensure your shoes or joggers are not damaged or worn and distribute your weight evenly across the foot.
• Schedule an appointment with your podiatrist to ensure you have appropriate footwear for your needs.
• Orthotics may be prescribed to help prevent an occurrence of ITB syndrome in those at risk.

The symptoms most often associated with rheumatoid arthritis of the hip are:

• Severe pain, stiffness and swelling of the hip, with pain worse in the morning and reducing with activity.
• Fever, fatigue and appetite loss.
• Stiffness and discomfort in the thigh, buttocks and groin.
• Softening of the bone resulting in stress fractures and bone collapse.
• Difficulties walking up inclines and stairs.

The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are presently unknown.

Dan Everson Podiatry can diagnose rheumatoid arthritis through history taking, a physical examination of the hip and a Biomechanical Assessment to study your range of movement, look for swelling in the joint and pain experienced through movement. An X-ray, MRI or CT scan may also be recommended to evaluate the stage of the disease.

Dan Everson Podiatry would typically suggest one or more of the following treatment methods:

• Anti-inflammatory, pain relief and prescription medication that can help slow the spread of the illness.
• Rest and applying ice to the area.
• Canes and crutches may be advised for severe cases.
• Your podiatrist can recommend certain exercises to improve your range of movement.
• Surgery may be recommended in some cases. The most common procedure performed for rheumatoid arthritis is the fusion of the affected joints.

There is no known way to prevent rheumatoid arthritis, as the causes are presently unknown. There are several ways to reduce your risk of major joint damage after a diagnosis of this condition:

• Consult with your podiatrist as soon as you have any symptoms.
• Speak with your podiatrist about a program of gentle stretches and strength movements to reduce pain and strengthen the hip.
• Rest from exercise during the periods you are experiencing the most pain.
• Avoid smoking.

Osteitis pubis can affect you in diverse ways depending on the severity of your condition. Most patients describe pain that increases gradually over time. Some of the symptoms you may experience include:

• Sharp or dull pain that results from activities like running, changing direction, pivoting on one leg and kicking.
• Pain when the abdominal muscles are contracted.
• Tenderness, pain or discomfort when applying pressure to the pubic bone at the front of the pelvic area.
• Pain when squeezing your legs together or moving one leg away from the centre line of the body.
• Discomfort from lying on your side.

This condition is most commonly associated with overuse and repetitive activities that strain or place prolonged force through the pubic symphysis. Some of these activities include:

• Overuse and repetitive strain through running larger distances or increasing your training intensity.
• Sports that involve repeated kicking motions or changes of direction such as football, netball, tennis, soccer and athletics.
• Pregnancy and childbirth.
• Poor or abnormal biomechanical function in the foot, feet or legs. This can be due to tibial torsion contributing to duck feet or pigeon-toe.
• Weak gluteal muscles, hip muscles and hip rotators.
• Inappropriate footwear for your exercise of activities.
• Major trauma such as a fall or car accident.

Dan Everson Podiatry will ask questions about your symptoms and health history. A thorough physical examination including stress tests, range of motion and other mobility testing will likely be performed. In some cases a CT scan or MRI may be helpful to examine for abnormalities or irregularities.

Most sufferers of osteitis pubis recover fully after taking the appropriate treatment measures. In extreme cases, surgery may be required. Some or all of the below treatment options may be recommended:

• Rest and avoid performing any physical activities that cause pain to the area.
• Use pain-relief and anti-inflammatory medication.
• Ice and heat packs to the area may provide temporary relief.
• Stretching and strengthening exercises as prescribed by your podiatrist.
• If you have a foot imbalance or biomechanical abnormality contributing to your condition, Kinetic Orthotics from Dan Everson Podiatry may be prescribed and inserted into your footwear to help balance weight loading in the foot and correct motion during walking and running. This is a range recommended by Dan Everson Podiatry, designed using patent-protected technology to optimise the way force is transferred as you move.
• Using a cane or crutch during the healing process to keep weight off the pelvis when you walk.

It is common for osteitis pubis to recur. Some of the preventative measures Dan Everson Podiatry recommends are:

• Stretching and strengthening exercises for the stabilising muscles.
• Warming up properly before you exercise.
• Reducing your exercise or training workload to limit the amount of time your pubic symphysis is exposed to force, stress and trauma.
• Seeking advice from your podiatrist on the most appropriate footwear for your needs.
• Orthotics may be prescribed to help prevent an occurrence of this condition in those with an imbalance or poor biomechanical function.