Because walking or jogging on treadmills presents the body with the stress of a weight-bearing exercise, hip pain may emerge due to inflammation, sprains or tendonitis exacerbated by this type of training. Overuse of hip muscles and ensuing pain is usually alleviated with rest, ice packs and ibuprofen. Many individuals suffer from hip pain after using the treadmill because they have altered the way they normally walk or run. Overextension of the gait promotes hip pain because upper leg muscles and glutes are being repetitively and abnormally stretched.
Pain-causing Conditions of the Hip
Hip injuries directly caused by working out on a treadmill include pinched nerves, muscle strain and tendonitis. Conditions possibly exacerbated by treadmill use include bursitis, different kinds of arthritis and even previously unknown bone deformities. Placing an incline on the treadmill may cause hip pain as well, because the higher the incline, the more force is placed on the hip joints and muscles. In addition, trainers work out at a consistent pace on the treadmill, which is harder on the lower body than when walking or running outdoors and usually being forced to change pace once in a while due to external influences.
Hip Tendonitis
Overuse of tendons is the usual reason behind flare-ups of hip tendonitis — specifically of the iliopsoas, or inner hip muscles. As the strongest of all the hip flexors, the iliopsoas is vital to performing running, walking and standing activity. As a result, excessive use of this tendon is easily applicable to anyone who uses a treadmill. Age may be a factor when suffering from hip tendonitis as well, because tendon elasticity decreases in people as they age. Symptoms of hip tendonitis include pain while sleeping, inability to get comfortable in bed or a chair, and difficulty enacting general movement involved with the hips. Some people feel feverish warmth in the affected hip area as well.
Bursitis of the Hip Joint
Bursa sacs act as small but powerful cushions between the muscles and bone constituting important body joints such as the knee, shoulder, elbow and hip. Bursae prevent the internal mechanism of joints from rubbing against each other and producing friction that may inhibit movement. When these sacs become inflamed, pain occurs because liquid inside the sacs is insufficient due to overexertion. Frequently the greater trochanter — the bony end of the hip — is the site of bursitis inflammation because it contains larger than normal bursa sacs. Bursitis initially produces sharp pain in the affected area; later, this pain may spread and develop into a general achiness.
Hip Labral Tears
Often tricky to diagnose, a hip labral tear involves a piece of soft, stretchy tissue call the labrum, which covers the outside edge of the hip-joint socket. Responsible for keeping the ball in place at the top of the femur, the labrum also acts as a stabilizer by expanding the socket and facilitating flexibility of movement. Repetitive activity such as treadmill use may result in a degenerative tear of the labrum. In addition, labral tears are often seen before the onset of arthritis. Symptoms of this condition include groin pain, clicking sensation in the hip joint and lack of full hip mobility.
