Outline

• How Does Your Hip Joint Work?
• Causes Of Hip Joint Disorder?
• How Can Physiotherapy Help You Take Care Of Your Hip Joint
• Conclusion

How Does Your Hip Joint Work?

The hip joint is where your thigh bone (femur) meets your hip bone (pelvis). It is a ball-and-socket joint that supports your body’s weight and allows your legs to move in different directions. The head of your thigh bone is round like a ball and settles inside a cup-like socket in your pelvis. 1

This joint helps balance and lets you walk, bend, and rotate your leg. It connects your upper body to your legs and supports your movement and body stability. 4

Causes Of Hip Joint Disorder?

The hip joint is the largest in your body. The hip joint is complicated because it allows a range of movement while supporting your weight. Many conditions may cause hip problems, 5

You may have hip disorders due to injuries, chronic conditions, or infections. Here are some of the common hip disorders that will affect your movement and daily activities: 7

Hip Fractures: A crack or breakage of the thigh bone head. Even the hip bone can fracture. 3

Osteoarthritis: It has a connection to the deterioration or wearing away of the joint cushion (cartilage) and changes in the hip joint. 7

Hip muscle strains: The pulling and tearing of the muscles that support the hip joint. It causes pain in your buttocks. It may happen due to trauma, sports-related, or overuse injury. 1

Hip dislocation: You may have an incomplete or complete head of thigh bone displacement from the hip bone socket. It can be caused by trauma or disease. 2

Common symptoms of a hip disorder include:

• Limping
• Pain in the hip
• Muscle Stiffness
• Reduced movement 
• Pain in the leg when walking or standing 7

How Can Physiotherapy Help You Take Care Of Your Hip Joint

Sitting, standing, or moving for too long can affect your hips. Moving and staying pain-free requires the proper use of your hips. Physiotherapists can assess movement, avoid hip joint injuries, protect injured areas, and suggest ways to reduce pain by preventing harmful activities. 8

Your hips play a crucial role in daily movements, so keeping them healthy is essential! Here are some simple ways a physiotherapist can help you take care of your hip joints:

1. Education: A physiotherapist can teach you proper movement to prevent hip joint disorders or reduce pain.
2. Therapeutic Massage: This will help keep the hip muscles relaxed.
3. Stay Active: A physiotherapist can prescribe personalized exercises to help maintain your hip movement and strength. Activities like walking, swimming, and cycling are great for your hips. Aim for at least 30 minutes a day.
4. Stretch and Strength training: Proper stretching and strengthening exercises will improve flexibility while building muscle to support the joint. 6
5. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Extra weight stresses your hip joints. A physiotherapist can help you plan your weight loss journey through goal-oriented physical activity. 
6. Warm Up and Cool Down: Always warm up before exercising and cool down afterward. Gentle stretching before and after workouts can prevent injuries and keep your hips flexible.
7. Listen to Your Body: If you experience pain or discomfort in your hips, don’t ignore it. Consult a physiotherapist. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems. 9

Conclusion

The hip joint is the largest in your body. Your hips play a crucial role in daily movements, and physiotherapy can help you keep them healthy, which is essential. Physiotherapy can help you maintain a healthy hip joint through strengthening exercises, stretches, easing tight muscles, and teaching proper movement.

Reference

Chamberlain, R. (2021). Hip pain in adults: evaluation and differential diagnosis. American family physician, 103(2), 81-89.

Dawson-Amoah, K., Raszewski, J., Duplantier, N., & Waddell, B. S. (2018). Dislocation of the hip: a review of types, causes, and treatment. Ochsner Journal, 18(3), 242-252.

Emmerson BR, Varacallo M, Inman D. Hip Fracture Overview. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557514/

Gold M, Munjal A, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Hip Joint. [Updated 2023 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470555/

Short, S. M., MacDonald, C. W., & Strack, D. (2021). Hip and Groin Injury Prevention in Elite Athletes and Team Sport – Current Challenges and Opportunities. International journal of sports physical therapy, 16(1), 270–281. https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.18705