Help! Hip Pain Wakes Me Up at Night
Good quality sleep is important for your overall health and wellness, but if hip pain is keeping you awake, those Zs can be hard to catch. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to find relief.
Common Causes of Hip Impingement
Picture a scoop of ice cream sitting on top of a small waffle cone. Usually, that’s what your hip joint looks like: The ball of your hip joint (femoral head, which is the very top of your thigh bone -- it’s the ice cream) sits on the femoral neck (a small section of bone that leads to your thigh bone -- it’s the cone).
Hip impingement, also called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), occurs when your ice cream cone (femoral head and neck) rubs against the socket of your hip joint. This rubbing results in an uncomfortable and often painful pinching or catching sensation.
If left untreated, hip impingement can damage your hip joint. It can cause labral tears and arthritis. Dr. Joshua D. Harris cares for our patients in Houston, Texas, and is an expert in treating hip impingement. He encourages you to be aware of these common causes and risk factors for hip impingement.
Common causes of hip impingement
Hip impingements are generally classified into two categories: cam and pincer.
A cam hip impingement means your femoral head and neck are not perfectly round, which can result in abnormal contact between the ball and socket. A pincer impingement describes overcoverage of the ball, or that your hip socket’s bony rim comes out too far.
Both of these forms of hip impingement are usually due to:
- Misshapen femoral head (ball)
- Misshapen femoral neck
- Hip socket rim that extends too far
Risk factors for hip impingement
Hip impingement is common in competitive athletes, but anyone of any age can develop FAI. Some risk factors for this condition include:
- Genetics or family history of hip impingement
- Participation in intense sports
- High physical activity level
- Prior injury
Some sports are more heavily associated with hip impingement, including martial arts, cycling, rowing, ballet, football, hockey, baseball, rugby, and soccer. Activities that require deep squats, such as powerlifting, may also contribute to hip impingement.
Treatment options for hip impingement
To diagnose whether you have a hip impingement, Dr. Harris performs a thorough physical exam and asks you about your medical and health history. He also instructs you through a number of orthopedic tests to evaluate your range of motion in your hip. Then, you’ll have X-rays or an MRI or a CT scan of your hip.
If Dr. Harris determines you have a hip impingement that has not responded well to non-surgical treatments, surgical treatment usually involves arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgery. During the surgery, he reshapes your hip ball and socket to eliminate the rubbing and catching, effectively eliminating your pain. After surgery, you begin physical therapy.
If you think you may have a hip impingement, don’t delay treatment. Call Dr. Harris today or book an appointment online.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Does Your Favorite Sport Increase Your Risk of Developing Hip Problems?
Being active keeps you physically and emotionally fit. But if you have hip problems, some activities could make your symptoms worse. Here’s how to decide which activities are good for your hips, as well as for your overall wellness.
Pulled Muscle or Hamstring Tear? How to Tell the Difference
Millions of hamstring injuries happen every year. Knowing the difference between a hamstring pull and a hamstring tear is essential for ensuring you recover quickly. Here’s how to tell the difference between these two injuries.
Can Hip Preservation Surgery for Early-Stage Osteoarthritis Help Me Avoid a Joint Replacement?
Hip arthritis can cause major joint damage, but if you “catch” arthritis early, there are treatments that can help. Here’s how hip preservation surgery is used to relieve pain, restore the joint, and avoid the need for joint replacement surgery.
Do These Things Now If You Want Healthy Knees When You're Older
Knee pain is a common “side effect” of getting older, but it doesn’t have to be. Taking some simple — but important — steps now could help prevent painful knees in the future. Here’s what you can do to protect your knees.
The Link Between Your Diet and Joint Health
Your joints work hard for you all day. By watching your diet, you can return the favor by giving them what they need to stay healthy. Here’s how you can tweak your diet to support better joint health now and in the future.