Many people associate joint pain with femoral head necrosis. People who are familiar with osteonecrosis of the femoral head should know that it can cause symptoms of hip pain. However, it's either hip pain or necrosis of the femoral head.
The hip joint is composed of the femoral head, acetabulum, and joint capsule. Femoral head necrosis is a pathological condition caused by insufficient blood supply to the femoral head. Due to insufficient blood supply to the femoral head, the cells in the femoral head tissue are deprived of oxygen, preventing normal metabolism and repair. Over time, the cells in the femoral head tissue gradually necrotize, forming what is known as a 'necrotic zone'. During the formation of necrotic areas, the skeletal structure also undergoes changes, with a decrease in bone density inside the femoral head, and even possible collapse and rupture, which can cause hip joint pain. In addition to the well-known "osteonecrosis of the femoral head", hip joint pain can also be caused by the following four common diseases:
1. Hip arthritis
Hip arthritis is more common in middle-aged and elderly people. Arthritis can lead to hip joint inflammation and cartilage rupture, gradually worsening hip pain, hip joint stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Among them, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are one of the most common causes of hip pain caused by hip arthritis. The treatment department for hip arthritis samples physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and medication therapy. If the joint is severely damaged, the doctor may recommend an artificial hip replacement surgery.
2. Femoral acetabular impingement syndrome
When the abnormal ball and socket structure of the femoral head neck and acetabulum causes impact and compression, the acetabular labrum and articular cartilage are damaged, resulting in characteristic inguinal pain. This pain may spread to the lower back or outer buttocks, and worsen during sitting, driving, wearing socks, and other movements. Femoral acetabular impingement syndrome is a common cause of hip joint injury in young adults. Stop vigorous exercise immediately after experiencing pain and undergo physical therapy to relieve the pain. If the degree of hip impact is severe, minimally invasive hip arthroscopy surgery can be chosen to remove bone impact and treat labrum lesions and cartilage injuries.
3. Hip labrum tear
Due to prolonged impact and wear between the neck of the femoral head and the hip socket, hip impact can develop into labrum tear. If the tear of the labrum of the hip joint is not treated, there may be pain, joint weakness or stiffness in the anterior part of the hip or groin, as well as strangulation and clicking during movement. Physical therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can alleviate pain, but if conservative treatment cannot solve the pain, precise repair of labrum tear under hip arthroscopy can be used. Physical rehabilitation therapy after surgery can restore normal activities within 8 to 12 weeks.
4. Hip joint bursitis
The bursal is like a small cushion that buffers pressure, avoiding friction between the bony processes and soft tissues. If overused, it can lead to bursitis or damage, causing severe or dull pain in the buttocks. Conservative treatment using physical therapy, cold compress, anti-inflammatory drugs, and/or corticosteroid injections typically results in a cure within a few weeks. If conservative therapy cannot solve the pain, doctors may recommend using minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to extract fluid from the slide or remove it.
Therefore, when feeling hip pain, it is not necessarily femoral head necrosis, and it is necessary to go to the hospital for further examination to clarify the disease and receive targeted treatment.