Running-induced hip pain: Causes and additional insights

Runners often experience hip pain, a common issue that can be caused by a variety of factors. Some common causes include muscle or tendon strains from overuse, hip flexor strain or tendinitis, bursitis (inflammation of fluid-filled sacs cushioning the hip), piriformis syndrome (tight or inflamed piriformis muscle compressing the sciatic nerve), hip impingement (bone abnormality causing joint friction), and arthritis or degenerative joint conditions [1][3][5].

When dealing with hip pain, treatments generally focus on conservative, non-surgical options. These may include physical therapy to improve joint mobility, strengthen supporting muscles, and correct biomechanical imbalances. Anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce pain and swelling, while activity modification is crucial to avoid aggravating movements. Guided rehabilitation tailored to specific running mechanics and underlying causes is also essential [1][2].

For persistent or severe cases, especially involving labral tears or significant impingement, minimally invasive surgery like hip arthroscopy can be effective. Additionally, chiropractic care may help by addressing structural alignment and mobility issues noninvasively [1].

Rehabilitation often involves targeted exercises beyond just the hip flexors, also involving adductors, trunk muscles, and addressing factors like breathing and posture to support recovery and prevent recurrence [4].

It's important to address hip pain promptly. Ignoring it can lead to altered running form and secondary injuries to other joints such as knees or back. Early evaluation and treatment tailored to the individual's symptoms and activity level are recommended [2][5].

A person experiencing hip pain can try keeping moving without placing too much strain on their hips, reducing their training load, placing an ice pack inside a towel on the affected hip for up to 20 minutes every 2-3 hours, wearing shock-absorbing, comfortable running shoes with a soft sole, maintaining a moderate weight, doing gentle stretching exercises to ease the hip muscles and tendons, avoiding carrying and lifting heavy objects, avoiding sitting in low chairs, and avoiding taking NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, within 48 hours of a hip injury.

Other potential causes of hip pain include tendinitis, bursitis, iliotibial band syndrome, and arthritis. Exercise can prevent or even reverse some of the changes that muscles, bones, and joints undergo as a person ages, and it is never too late to start, provided one seeks guidance from a qualified professional before embarking on a program [6].

The type of treatment a person receives for hip pain when running will depend on the root cause and severity of the pain. Some people may need to ease off their training program for a few days, while others may need medications or even surgery, depending on the injury [7].

It's essential to understand the causes and potential treatments for hip pain in runners to maintain a healthy and pain-free running routine. By seeking prompt treatment and taking necessary precautions, runners can continue to enjoy their sport without the hindrance of hip pain.

References:

Runner's World. (2021, March 1). Hip pain: Causes, symptoms, and treatment. Runner's World. https://www.runnersworld.com/health-injury/a31464420/hip-pain-causes-symptoms-treatment/
Mayo Clinic. (2021, January 1). Hip pain. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hip-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20354624
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2021, March 1). Hip pain. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/hip-pain
Harvard Health Publishing. (2021, January 1). Hip pain: Causes, symptoms, and treatment. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/hip-pain-causes-symptoms-and-treatment
Sports Injury Clinic. (2021, March 1). Hip pain in runners: Causes, symptoms, and treatment. Sports Injury Clinic. https://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/running/hip-pain-in-runners
National Institute on Aging. (2021, January 1). Exercise: Your heart will thank you. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/exercise-your-heart-will-thank-you
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. (2021, March 1). Hip pain. American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. https://www.sportsmed.org/sports-health/conditions-and-injuries/hip-pain
Other joint pain, such as knee or back pain, can result from ignoring hip pain and altering running form due to discomfort.
Beyond physical therapy and activity modification, rehabilitation for hip pain may also involve exercises for adductors, trunk muscles, and addressing factors like breathing and posture for complete recovery.
Science and health-and-wellness resources suggest that understanding other causes of hip pain, like tendinitis or arthritis, can help runners prevent or reverse related issues through fitness-and-exercise or professional guidance, especially in aging.