According to Howard Smith, author of "Current Therapy in Pain," causes of hip bone pain are nonspecific and can involve surrounding tissues, joints and bones, including the spine. Smith asserts that diagnosis initially depends on disclosure of the location of the hip pain and physical examination. Patients should consult a physician to determine the cause of hip pain.
Trochanteric Bursitis
Howard Smith explains that the trochanteric bursa is the notch that protrudes laterally from the end of femur and opposite the hip joint in "Current Therapy in Pain." Smith then states that trochanteric bursitis is the inflammation of this protrusion due to friction with the adjacent illotibial band, which connects to the gluteus medius tendon. Smith adds that an abnormal gait can either cause or exacerbate trochanteric bursitis, which can thus become more severe through the fibrosis and dysfunction of the trochanteric bursa. Treatments include physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Osteoid Osteoma
Osteoid osteomas are benign tumors that Thomas Lehman compares to knots in wood in the book, "It's Not Just Growing Pains." Although osteoid osteomas are fundamentally harmless, they can cause sustained hip pain in children. Lehman states that chronic hip pain due to osteoid osteomas is more common in boys than in girls, and causes problems more frequently during adolescence. Osteoid osteomas can cause both knee problems as well as sleeping problems, but most cases are minor enough that therapy is not necessary. In the severest cases, Lehman states that surgical removal is possible.
Arthritis of the Hip
In "Current Therapy in Pain," Howard Smith states that degeneration of the hip joint causes arthritis of the hip, which can result from trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis, sepsis and Paget's disease. In children, Thomas Lehman asserts that sustaining hip pain that appears like arthritis in children is most likely spondyloarthropathies. Lehman mentions that spondyloathropathies may travel to other joints, rendering them more difficult to diagnose. Children may otherwise develop hip arthritis from repeated dislocation or injury as well as a history of local infection. Smith states that in adults, untreated hip arthritis can result in dysplasia as well as slipped capital femoral epiphysis.
References
- "Current Therapy in Pain"; Howard S. Smith; 2008
- "It's Not Just Growing Pains: A Guide to Childhood Muscle, Bone, and Joint Pain, Rheumatic Diseases, and the Latest Treatments"; Thomas J. A. Lehman; 2004
