According to MayoClinic.com, certain medical conditions, repetitive strain injuries and traumatic injuries can cause problems in and around the hip joint. The hip joint is an important weight-bearing joint that allows a person to stand, walk, run and squat. When problems arise in the hip joint, such as pain or reduced range of motion, a person may be unable to perform activities of daily living.
Dislocated Hip
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, or AAOS, a dislocated hip occurs when the head of the femur or thighbone is forced out of the hip socket. Hip dislocations can be partial or total, depending on the cause of the dislocation and the forces involved. In most cases, the head of the femur moves backward, which leaves the hip in bent and twisted position, the femur pointing toward the body's mid-line. The AAOS reports that a dislocated hip is extremely painful. Along with severe pain in the affected hip, common signs and symptoms associated with a dislocated hip include reduced hip joint active range of motion, an inability to move the involved leg and, if nerve damage has occurred, a lack of sensation in the foot or ankle. The most common cause of a dislocated hip is trauma, such as an automobile accident or a fall from a great height.
Paget's Disease of Bone
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, or NIAMS, states that Paget's disease of bone causes a person's bones to become larger and weaker than normal. Approximately 1 million Americans have Paget's disease of bone, according to the NIAMS. Although doctors are not sure of the exact cause of Paget's disease, it's believed that a virus or genetics may be involved. Paget's disease of bone often affects the pelvis, skull, spine and leg bones. In the pelvis, Paget's disease of bone can cause considerable hip pain. Paget's disease of bone can also lead to fractures and misshapen bones in the hip and elsewhere throughout the body. The NIAMS states that Paget's disease of bone is more common in older individuals and people of Northern European descent. The condition is more common in men than women.
Osteomalacia
Osteomalacia is a bone-weakening disease that can cause hip problems. According to the Cleveland Clinic, osteomalacia is the medical term used to describe soft bones. If a person has soft bones, he is more susceptible to fractures and his bones will tend to break down faster that they can heal. The most common cause of osteomalacia is a lack of vitamin D due to a lack of sun exposure or a digestive or kidney disorder that can impair the body's ability to absorb vitamins. Common signs and symptoms associated with osteomalacia include dull, aching pain in the lower spine, pelvis, hips and legs, bone fractures, decreased muscle tone, arm and leg muscle weakness and a waddling gait. The Cleveland Clinic states that, depending on the individual case, a person with osteomalacia can take vitamin D, calcium or phosphate supplements to help combat the condition.
