Doctors named the causes of hip pain
The hip joint can cause pain in places where a person does not expect it: in the lower back, knee or groin. Such problems are especially common in women due to the peculiarities of the pelvic structure, hormonal changes and stress after pregnancy. ""Kirill Ptitsyn, head of the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics at the Scandinavian Health Center, and Lilia Afanasyeva, gynecologist and endocrinologist at the Sestroretskaya Multidisciplinary Clinic, told "Izvestia" on September 25 how to recognize the problem and maintain joint health.
The Hidden Source of Back and Knee pain
The hip joint is responsible for movement and load distribution when walking, climbing stairs, and other daily activities. If it starts to work worse, the body tries to compensate for the changes at the expense of other departments, which can cause pain in the lower back, buttocks and knees.
According to the orthopedist, many patients take a long time to treat the wrong area of the body, because the source of pain is located above or below the place where it is felt. For example, a malfunction of the hip joint can lead to additional stress on the lower back or knee joint.
"The hip joint holds the weight of the torso and connects the leg to the pelvis, so almost any movement passes through it: a step, climbing stairs, bending, getting up from a chair. When the joint starts to work worse, the body adjusts, and neighboring departments pay for it," Ptitsyn explained.
However, pelvic pain is not always associated with the joint. The cause may be the muscles, spine, or pelvic organs, so proper diagnosis is important.
Why are women more likely to suffer from pelvic problems?
In women, problems in the hip joint are more common due to the peculiarities of the pelvic structure, the load on the ligaments and hormonal changes. According to the orthopedist, one of the common causes of pain is the location of the femoral bones and increased stress on the tendons of the gluteal muscles.
Hip dysplasia is also more common in women, a condition in which the joint cavity does not cover the femoral head well enough. In the future, this can lead to an overload of the cartilage and the appearance of pain.
"This is clearly noticeable at the reception: women come to me more often with pain in the hip area. There are several reasons, and they add up," Ptitsyn said.
According to the gynecologist, hormonal changes also play an important role. During pregnancy, the ligaments become more elastic so that the body can adapt to childbirth, and after hormonal changes, they can affect the condition of the muscles and ligamentous apparatus.
How to distinguish joint pain from gynecological pain
Pelvic pain can have different causes, so it is important to pay attention to its nature and associated symptoms. With hip problems, movement difficulties often arise: it becomes difficult for a person to put on shoes, get into a car, or cross their legs.
Orthopedists also pay attention to the relationship of pain with exercise and body position. For example, pain in the groin or the front of the thigh more often indicates a problem in the joint, and discomfort in the lower back may be related to the spine.
"Gynecological pain is more often associated with inflammation, the growth of formations in the uterus or appendages, and endometriosis. As a rule, it is accompanied by a violation of the cycle, discharge from the genital tract, and bleeding," Afanasyeva said.
According to the specialist, if the pain appears after physical exertion, a fall, an uncomfortable body position, or is felt pointwise in the joint area, the cause should be sought not only in gynecology.
How is the joint related to posture and figure
The hip joint does not directly determine the width of the hips, but its condition can affect posture, gait, and body position. In case of pain, a person begins to take care of his leg, shift weight to the other side, which may cause asymmetry and silhouette changes.
In addition, the feeling of heaviness in the legs is not always associated with an increase in the amount of adipose tissue. It can occur due to decreased activity, muscle fatigue, and load redistribution.
"The width of the hips is determined by the structure of the pelvis and the distribution of adipose tissue. The joint does not affect it, and it will not work to narrow the hips with exercises. He changes his posture and silhouette, and it shows," Ptitsyn said.
According to the gynecologist, the volume change in the hip area may be due to hormonal factors and fluid retention. At the same time, pronounced swelling requires an assessment of other causes, including vascular condition and metabolic processes.
What happens to the pelvis after pregnancy
Pregnancy and childbirth become a serious strain on the pelvis. Under the influence of hormones, the condition of the ligaments changes, the load on the muscles increases, and the position of the body changes due to the growth of the abdomen.
After giving birth, some women experience pain in the pelvis, groin and lower back. In most cases, the condition gradually improves, but if the discomfort restricts movement, interferes with child care, or persists for a long time, specialist advice is required.
"During pregnancy, everything that holds the pelvis changes. Hormones make the ligaments more malleable so that the child can pass through the birth canal," Ptitsyn explained.
To prevent problems, experts recommend regular moderate exercise, strengthening the pelvic and gluteal muscles, as well as avoiding exercise through pain. In case of prolonged discomfort, it is important to consult a doctor and determine the cause of the condition.
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