Left Hip Pain

The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint between the head of the thigh bone (femur) and the cup-shaped hollow (acetabulum) of the pelvis. A layer of elastic tissue called hyaline cartilage coats the head of the thigh bone as well as the acetabulum. The cartilage prevents these bones from rubbing against each other.

The outer part of the cup-shaped hollow is surrounded by a layer of cartilage. While ligaments provide stability to this joint, the muscle groups enable movement. If any of these structures that are present around the left hip area are adversely affected, one is most likely to suffer from pain in and around the left hip.

Though pain in and around the left hip could be a posture-related problem, if it has been persisting for a long time, there might be more to it. Since corrective measures can only be taken once the underlying cause has been identified, it would be best to seek medical help for proper diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

Here are some of the common contributory factors for pain in the left hip area along with certain remedies.

A compressed nerve might be the culprit here. A pinched nerve in the lower back may be affecting sensory functions, thus causing pain. Sciatica (inflammation of sciatic nerve) could be the cause for pain in this region. Sciatic nerve travels from lower back towards the leg. When the inflammatory activity is on left side, one may feel pain in the left hip.

Note: If an excruciating pain originates in the back and travels to the buttocks and the hip, consult a doctor immediately. The use of anti-inflammatory medicines and application of heating pads will help in providing relief from pain.

Pain may result from sitting in contoured seats for long stretches of time. Though these seats give an impression that they are well-suited to the shape of our bottom, these may not be comfortable for some and may cause pain around the hip. Also, those who always stuff their back pocket with their wallet can suffer from pain as this may affect your posture.

Note: Don't sit for long hours in the same position. Stretch and be alert about your posture. One must also keep a tab on one's weight.

The pain one may be experiencing in the left hip might be due to the inflammation of bursa located around the left hip. Bursae are small jelly-like sacs that contain a fluid. These fluid-filled sacs help in reducing the friction between the bones, tissues and the gliding muscles.

A big-sized bursa lies over trochanter, which is the bony joint of the hip. Inflammation of this bursa and another one present in the groin area can cause pain in the left hip area.

Note: Avoid sitting for long stretches of time. It would be best to avoid playing sports until the pain subsides. Sleep on your back or stomach while you are still recovering. Performing bursitis hip exercises such as cross-leg pulls and outer thigh stretches could also help in easing pain.

If you have suffered from a hip fracture recently, you must follow precautionary measures to prevent complications. Hip fractures can affect your mobility significantly. So, follow self-care measures during your recovery period. A hip fracture can be very distressing for the aged. The bone density decreases as we age and a fall can cause a lot of damage.

Note: Those who have had a hip replacement surgery also need to avoid any activity that may cause hip replacement complications. Follow the advice given by the orthopedic surgeon and physiotherapist.

If your left hip joint is inflamed due to arthritis, you are most likely to experience pain around the left hip region. At times, knee arthritis could also cause an imbalance of the hips. Such an imbalance could also be seen in those who have a habit of favoring one leg over the other.

If one has a habit of favoring the left leg over the right one, one could suffer from pain around the left hip. So, if that is the problem, try not to exert on your left leg and hip. If there is any inflammatory activity in the hip area, one may suffer from an aching pain that may spread to the groin and the hips. 

Under such circumstances, one may even suffer from pain while walking. If the pain is severe, it would be best to seek medical help. An X-ray examination, bone scan and other diagnostic tests can help the doctors determine facts regarding bone density or the level of fluid within the joints.

Note: While anti-inflammatory drugs can help in diminishing the pain arising due to arthritis, one can perform easy exercises that do not strain the muscles and hip joint. Take rest and refrain from participating in sports that may worsen joint pain. Following the exercise regimen should help in reducing stiffness and pain.

If you are an athlete, you might be more prone to hip injuries. If you often experience pain in and/or around your hips after running, seek medical help. Twisting and turning movements that are involved in certain sports could adversely affect the hip joint.

More often than not, strained adductor muscles and tendons could get damaged when one indulges in strenuous physical activity without performing warm-up exercises. Those involved in sports like golf, ice hockey or football could develop a hip labral tear. A dislocated hip or a hip flexor muscle strain could also cause pain.

Note: Pain in the hips while walking and climbing stairs is a characteristic sign of a hip flexor muscle strain. So if you experience such symptoms or often get a catch in the left hip joint, don't ignore it. Consult a doctor immediately.

Though painkillers or physiotherapy can assist initially, doctors might have to resort to arthroscopic techniques if the patient has been experiencing severe pain along with other distressing symptoms.

The underlying cause of pain in the hips could range from muscle strains or postural defects to something as grave as hip degeneration. So, if you have been facing persistent pain, you need to take it seriously. A visit to an orthopedic surgeon or even a physiotherapist is essential as only an expert can identify the underlying cause.

While drug therapy can help in providing relief from pain, one must also follow certain self-care measures. One must follow a healthy diet and perform hip exercises that have been suggested by the physiotherapist. It is extremely essential to maintain a right posture while sitting and standing.

Do perform warm-up exercises before indulging in any physical activity that is strenuous. This will prepare your muscles and lower the risk of inflammation in the muscles, tendons and ligaments located around the hip region.

Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.