Jogging is an efficient form of cardiovascular exercise that can keep your heart healthy and your body fit. Unfortunately, it is a high-impact exercise, putting significant strain on your joints and muscles. The large bones in your hips contain muscles and ligaments that anchor several muscles throughout your legs, abdomen and buttocks. Overstretching and overuse can tear these muscles and ligaments, which can cause pain and other complications.
Sprain or Strain
A sprain involves a torn or stretched ligament while a strain involves a torn or stretched muscle or tendon. Symptoms of a strain or sprain include pain in the hip area, swelling and loss of muscle strength. You might experience bruising with a sprain and hear a distinct popping sound when the injury occurs. Treat mild sprains or strains at home with rest, ice, compression and elevation. Call your doctor if your hip still hurts after a week of home treatment or if you experience pain in both hips or in other joints.
Tendinitis
Vigorous stretching or the repetitive actions of jogging can cause tendonitis in your hips. This condition results from inflammation or irritation of the tendons that connect your hip muscles to the bones. Although tendinitis occurs most frequently in the elbows, shoulders and knees, it can appear in any of your body's tendons. Mild tendinitis responds well to rest, ice and over-the-counter pain medications, but see your doctor if the pain interferes with your regular activities or persists for more than a few days.
Prevention/Solution
To prevent tendinitis and sprains or strains, warm up before running or stretching. Warm muscles aren't as susceptible to tears as cold ones. Stretch slowly and hold each stretch for several seconds. Stretching should not hurt so stop as soon as you feel pain. Participate in a conditioning program to keep your muscles flexible and strong. Do not overdo it when running. Start slowly and gradually build up the length and speed of your runs as you grow stronger.
Uneven Surface or Leg-Length Discrepancy
Dr. Nicholas DiNubile, clinical assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, tells MarthaStewart.com that hip pain while running can result when one leg is slightly shorter than the other. It can also occur when you regularly run on uneven, banked surfaces such as the side of the road or an unpaved surface. Although you might not notice this type of injury when it first occurs, you will feel it when you stretch or warm up before your next workout. DiNubile recommends seeing your doctor if you suspect a leg-length difference. Otherwise, try changing your running route or running indoors on a treadmill.
