There are many causes of lateral hip pain. According to a 2009 article by Roald Bahr and Karim Khan published in the "British Medical Journal," lateral hip pain is a common and often chronic condition that's misdiagnosed in many cases. Lateral hip pain can be caused by repetitive overuse injuries, traumatic injuries and certain medical conditions. Lateral hip pain can occur in people of all ages, and its severity can range from mild to marked.
Hip Dislocation
A hip dislocation can cause lateral hip pain. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, or AAOS, a hip dislocation occurs when the head of the femur or thigh bone slides out of the hip socket. In most cases--approximately 90 percent of cases, in fact--the femur is forced out of its socket in a posterior or backward direction, leaving the hip and femur in a bent and twisted position oriented toward the body's midline. The AAOS states that a hip dislocation is an extremely painful condition. A person with a dislocated hip will be unable to move her leg. Nerve damage secondary to the hip dislocation can also occur, which can affect sensation in the foot and ankle. The most common causes of hip dislocations include motor vehicle accidents and falls from high places, as the force of impact is often great enough in these scenarios to dislodge the ball of the femur from the hip socket. According to the AAOS, hip dislocations often occur in conjunction with other injuries, such as pelvis and leg fractures and head wounds.
Meralgia Paresthetica
Meralgia paresthetica can cause lateral hip pain. The National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, or NINDS--a division of the National Institutes of Health--states that meralgia paresthetica is a condition that's caused by a squeezing or compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, a peripheral sensory nerve that serves a portion of the thigh. According to the NINDS, the most common location for compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is where it exits the pelvis and enters the leg. MayoClinic.com states that common signs and symptoms associated with meralgia paresthetica include the following: numbness, tingling and burning pain in or on the lateral portion of the thigh or hip and a dull, achy pain in the groin or buttocks. Meralgia paresthetica-related signs and symptoms usually manifest on only one side of the body, and may intensify during prolonged periods of standing or walking.
Hip Fracture
A hip fracture can cause lateral hip pain. According to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, approximately 350,000 Americans suffer a hip fracture each year. About 90 percent of hip fractures occur in people over the age of 60. Hip fractures are more common in women than men. There are two principle types of hip fracture, including femoral neck fractures and intertrochanteric fractures. Both of these fractures occur in the upper portion of the femur or thigh bone and can have serious health consequences. Common signs and symptoms associated with a hip fracture include the following: severe pain and weakness in the affected area, an inability to stand or walk, a shorter leg on the affected side and large bruises around the injury site. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library states that most hip fractures are caused by a fall, although a person with osteoporosis may experience a hip fracture from seemingly low force activities, such as rising from a chair.
References
- "British Medical Journal"; Management of Lateral Hip Pain; Roald Bahr, et al.; April 2009
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Hip Dislocation
- National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: What is Meralgia Paresthetica?
- MayoClinic: Meralgia Paresthetica
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Hip Fractures
