Hip pain is a very common problem, especially in people over the age of 60. Most often, we see patients who complain of pain in their hip joints and the muscles that surround the area. Unfortunately, over time, hip pain can cause limited mobility and pain elsewhere in the body.
How Hip Pain Appears in Other Areas of The Body
Having a dysfunctional or painful hip can cause challenges while performing daily tasks like walking, squatting, standing up from sitting, standing for prolonged periods, and walking up and down stairs.
During these motions, your body will automatically try to compensate for a painful hip joint, adding excess stress to muscles and joints that wouldn’t normally be used. This compensation can result in pain and injury elsewhere in the body.
Your hip pain can manifest as pain in other parts of the body, such as:
- Leg pain
A dysfunction or painful hip can cause you to limp when you walk. Limping can strain the calf muscles, leading to pain in the leg. Limping can also eventually cause discomfort and pain in the lower back.
- Knee pain
There are common nerves that supply the knee and the hip. For this reason, people with hip dysfunction or pain can often present with knee pain. This is why it’s important to be seen by a medical professional who can properly diagnose the source of your pain and treat it accordingly.
- Shoulder pain
In some cases, shoulder pain may be seen with hip pain. This is most commonly seen in golfers. A golfer’s stroke involves moving at the hip for power. With a painful hip, golfers tend to excessively rotate their shoulders for power, rather than the hip.
If you suffer from chronic pain in your muscles or joints, the specialists at Hernando Orthopedic and Spinal Surgery can diagnose and treat it. Contact us to schedule an appointment!