Let our diagnostic tree lead you to the possible diagnosis. This self-test for external hip pain or pain in the hip area is designed to guide you to a possible diagnosis based on the symptoms and complaints. We have tried to achieve the greatest possible differentiation.
Unfortunately, not all diseases can be distinguished absolutely clearly by the symptoms, but have an individual character, so you should only understand the result as a possible diagnosis. Please note: This test is in no way a substitute for a specialist diagnosis. If you have received a possible diagnosis of your external hip pain, it should be confirmed by a specialist in orthopedics.
Hip pain one-sided – right/left
For unilateral hip pain, various triggers can be considered. After a fall on one side a bruise of the hip can be the reason for the pain. A fracture of a bone of the hip or the pelvis is also possible, but this usually requires the application of a great deal of force.
Only in older people, especially women who suffer from osteoporosis, a simple fall on one side can also lead to a fracture. However, the most common causes are strains and muscle pain, which can be caused by clumsy movement, by running or similar. In the case of muscle pain, the pain runs along a muscle and can be treated by relieving it.
Nerve pain can also be the cause of external hip pain, for example when a skin nerve is pinched by tight clothing. One of these skin nerves (N. cutaneus femoris lateralis) runs exactly along the outside of the hip and thigh and can cause pain, tingling and sensation. This nerve can also be irritated by the way it runs through the body when the leg is stretched strongly. Differential diagnosis must also take into account bursitis trochanterica (inflammation of the bursa).
Bursitis trochanterica
External hip pain can also be caused by a specific inflammatory process in the hip joint, bursitis trochanterica (inflammation of the bursa of the hip). Freely translated, this term means an inflammation of one or more bursae located between the upper end of the thigh bone and the muscles or tendons above it. There are bursae in many other parts of the body that are exposed to great forces or friction and they perform important functions.
They serve as a cushion and reduce the forces acting on them, thus preventing damage to:. In the hip joint there are several such bursae filled with fluid on each side. If these are inflamed, they cause hip pain on the outside.
There are several reasons for bursitis trochanterica. In principle, there is always an overload or trauma accident at the beginning of the bursitis trochanterica. Malpositions that have existed since birth, such as a crooked hip or legs of different lengths, increase the risk of bursitis with hip pain on the outside.
Likewise, hip pain on the outside of the hip caused by bursitis trochanterica, especially in middle-aged or elderly people, is explained by wear and tear over the years. Young people also suffer from this clinical picture when they over-irritate the bursae and tendons in the sense of sport and other physical exercise. Blows to the hip with possible small bleeding are one of the main causes.
Typically affected are, for example, goalkeepers in soccer, who often fall on their hips. Symptomatically, bursitis trochanterica is characterized by hip pain on the outside with involvement of the upper thigh, which gets worse when pressure is applied. When walking, one also notices a twinge that can radiate into the buttocks and possibly a snapping feeling in the hip.
These typical symptoms also determine the correct diagnosis by a specialist after other diseases have been ruled out. Bursitis trochanterica can be treated well by first avoiding any movement and cooling the affected area. If the hip pain on the outside remains after a few days, anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac or cortisone can be used.
Suction of the pouch is rarely necessary. After the therapy, a triggering factor should be eliminated if possible. If all this does not lead to success, the removal of the bursa can be considered.
- Muscles
- Bones
- Tendons and
- Skin
All articles in this series: