Trail Running Blog

Common Hip Injuries Athletes Experience

While hours upon hours of practice are necessary for athletes to excel at their sport, overdoing it often causes athletes to experience hip pain that results in constant discomfort and sometimes prohibits them from playing. To ensure that this pain does not turn into a chronic issue, athletes should pay attention to any problems they experience with their hip and identify the cause of their pain.

Sports Medicine-Related Hip Injuries

There are many different types of sports medicine-related hip injuries that athletes suffer from. However, some of the most common problems include hip pointer issues, stress fractures, and a condition known as hip impingement.

Hip pointer injuries occur when the overlying muscle and bone of the top of the hip are bruised. This type of injury can happen suddenly and causes intense pain. Hip impingement injuries often occur within young and middle-aged athletes. Athletes may suffer from this type of hip injury when the bones of their hip no longer fit together perfectly and rub up against the joint. As a result, the hip joint can incur irreparable damage. Stress fractures are also highly common amongst athletes because they occur as a result of repetitive trauma to the hip bone over time. While any type of athlete can incur a stress fracture, they are most often seen amongst long distance runners.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Athletes who experience a hip injury should first try treating the condition at home by resting and applying ice to the affected area in 10 to 20 increments over a span of two to four hours. To mitigate the pain, athletes may want to take over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen. However, athletes should seek immediate medical attention for their injury if:

• Their hip joint appears to be deformed
• They are no longer able to move their hip or leg
• They are unable to put any weight on the affected leg
• They experience intense pain or the joint starts to swell

Additionally, athletes should see a doctor about their hip pain if they are no longer able to walk or run in a normal manner.

The Superpath Hip Technique

In some situations, athletes may experience a sports-related hip injury that warrants the need for a total hip replacement. When this occurs, athletes should consider the Superpath Hip Technique. This form of hip replacement was developed as a way to replace traditional methods, requires a minor incision, and does not require the need for the hip to be dislocated during the operation. Athletes who undergo this form of hip replacement may find that they are able to get back on their feet within days, or even hours, of the surgery.