Definition
A periosteal inflammation of the hip comprises a multitude of involved structures. Since the hip is actually the joint between the thigh bone and the pelvic bone, there are also two potential bones where periosteitis can occur. The periosteitis itself is an inflammatory attack of the outer bone layer – also called periosteum. External factors or harmful substances cause the inflammation. In the case of periosteitis of the hip, the cause is most likely to be sporting or other mechanical overloading of the hip joint.
Causes
Such overstrain of the periosteum can be caused, for example, by increased rubbing of the bones. A typical example is the rubbing of the iliotibial tractus at the trochanter major. In simple terms, this means that a flat, very firm tendon strand extending from the outer pelvic bone to the outer tibia rubs against an external projection of the femur.
Normally, these two compartments are separated by a bursa, which prevents direct rubbing against each other. However, if this bursa is destroyed or injured, both come into contact with each other. The mechanical load by the tendon then leads to an irritation within a very short time and further to an inflammation of the bony protrusion on the thigh.
Jogging
Jogging, or rather running in general, is a risk factor for the development of periostitis of the hip. However, not every runner has to deal with such a disease. It is usually poor running technique or poor running shoes that cause a malposition in the hip.
This in turn can lead to mechanical irritation of the thigh or hip bone, which in the worst case can become a fulminant inflammation. In most cases, however, the mechanical over-irritation already causes pain, which the athlete should not ignore, but must see as a warning signal to give his body a break. In most cases, however, these are ignored, since the pain initially only occurs under stress.
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