Possible contributing factors include the shape and location of the femoral head in relation to the femur, increased sex hormones during puberty, and weight gain. In some teenagers, the ball can slide from its proper position, causing the leg on the affected side to turn out from the body. Slipped capital femoral epiphysisĭuring childhood, the femoral ball is attached to the femur with a growth plate of bone. Most children with Perthes’ disease eventually recover, but it can take anywhere from 2 to 5 years for the femoral head to regenerate. The ball of the femur is softened, and ultimately damaged, due to an inadequate blood supply to the bone cells. It tends to affect children between the ages of 3 and 11 years. Perthes’ disease is a disease of the hip joint. Around 95% of babies born with developmental dysplasia of the hip can be successfully treated. Possible causes include a breech (feet first) delivery, family history and disorders such as spina bifida. Slack ligaments may also allow the femoral head to slip out of joint. The socket is abnormally shallow, which prevents a stable fit. Developmental dysplasia of the hipĭevelopmental dysplasia of the hip means that the hip joint of a newborn baby is dislocated or prone to dislocation. This usually occurs due to a traumatic injury such as a car accident or fall. More women than men experience osteoporosis.ĭislocations of the hip occur when the head of the thigh bone is pushed forwards or backwards out of the socket. The bones become soft and brittle, and prone to fractures and deformities. In some cases, a person develops osteoporosis – a disease characterised by the excessive loss of bone tissue. Older people are more prone to hip fractures because bones become less dense as we age. Caucasian men aged between 16 and 33 years are most susceptible. The cause is unknown, but genes are thought to play a significant role.Īnkylosing spondylitis can occur by itself or in association with other disorders, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and psoriasis. Typical symptoms include pain and stiffness first thing in the morning. This uncommon form of inflammatory arthritis can target the spine, knees and hips. Inflammation in joints results in pain, prolonged stiffness (particularly first thing in the morning or after periods of rest) and swelling. The exact reason some people develop rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, although genetics and environmental factors like smoking may increase risk. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in joints such as the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, hip, knees and feet. Movement of the hip may also be restricted.
Osteoarthritis in the hip can lead to pain in the groin or buttock area, particularly on walking. The exact cause of osteoarthritis is not known, but genetics, stress on the joint and local inflammation are thought to play a role. It is associated with degeneration of the joint cartilage and with changes in the bones underlying the joint. As well as the hip joints, it most often affects the hands, spine, knees and feet. Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that tends to affect people as they age. Referred pain (for example, from the spine).Pain around the hip arises from structures separate from the hip joint itself, for example: There are also some hip problems predominantly seen in children, including: There are many condition that may cause hip problems, such as. pain when trying to put weight through the leg on the affected side.pain in the hip joint (usually felt in the groin area).The hip joint is complicated so as to allow a wide range of motion while still supporting the weight of the body. The muscles of the legs overlay these ligaments. The ball is anchored firmly into the socket with tough connective tissue called ligaments. The joint is sealed inside a tough capsule made of membrane (synovial capsule), which contains lubricating fluid that aids smooth motion of the joint. Both the ball and socket are lined with cushioning tissue called cartilage. The thigh bone (femur) ends with a rounded projection or ball (femoral head), which fits into the socket (acetabulum) of the pelvic girdle. The hip joint is the largest joint of the human body.