Hip & Groin Pain

Hip arthritis, also known as hip osteoarthritis, is a degenerative joint condition that involves the breakdown of cartilage in the hip joint. Cartilage is the smooth, slippery tissue that covers the ends of the bones in a joint, allowing for smooth movement and cushioning between the bones. When hip arthritis develops, the cartilage in the hip joint wears away over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility in the hip joint

Hip arthritis is typically diagnosed through a combination of clinical examination and confirmed with imaging studies. Here’s how the diagnosis process generally unfolds:

1. Clinical Examination: During a clinical examination, we will assess the your medical history and perform a physical examination.We will also palpate the hip joint for tenderness, evaluate muscle strength and joint stability, and perform specific tests to assess the joint.
2. Imaging Studies: While a clinical examination provides valuable information, imaging studies are often necessary to confirm the diagnosis of hip arthritis and evaluate the severity of joint degeneration. The primary imaging modality used to diagnose hip arthritis is X-ray imaging. X-rays can reveal characteristic signs of hip arthritis, including joint space narrowing, osteophyte (bone spur) formation, subchondral sclerosis (hardening of bone beneath cartilage), and joint deformities.

A groin strain typically refers to a tear or injury to the adductor muscles, which are the muscles located on the inner side of the thigh that help bring the legs together. The severity of a groin strain can vary, ranging from mild disruption of the muscle fibers to partial or complete tears of the muscle tissue.

The time it takes to heal from a groin strain depends on several factors, including:

1. Severity of the Tear: The severity of the tear, whether it’s a mild strain, moderate tear, or severe rupture, will influence the healing time. Mild strains may heal within a few weeks with conservative treatment, while more severe tears may require several weeks to months of rehabilitation and sometime surgery.
2. Location of the Tear: The location of the tear within the adductor muscles can also impact healing time. Tears that involve the tendon or the attachment points to the bone will take longer to heal due to decreased blood supply.
3. Quality of Rehabilitation: The quality and consistency of rehabilitation play a crucial role in the healing process.
4. Individual Factors: Individual factors such as age, overall health, fitness level, and adherence to treatment and rehabilitation protocols can also influence the healing time for a groin strain.

Hip and groin pain that worsens at night can be attributed to several factors. It’s important to note that while we can provide general information, specific cases may vary and it is always worth seeking medical advice when getting night pain. It is relatively common for inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, tendinitis, labral tears or bursitis, to exhibit worsening symptoms at night. Our body temperature tends to drop at night during sleep, and inflammation does not usually favour  colder conditions.

A sports hernia, also known as athletic pubalgia or inguinal hernia, is a condition characterised by chronic groin pain that occurs during physical activity. Unlike traditional hernias, sports hernias do not typically involve a visible bulge or protrusion in the groin area. Instead, they involve a weakening or tearing of the soft tissue structures in the lower abdomen and groin region.

An ultrasound scan performed by a hip and groin specialist, is often required to diagnose a sports hernia. Ultrasound imaging can provide detailed real-time images of the soft tissues in the groin and pelvic region, allowing the specialist to assess for abnormalities such as tears or weakening of the muscles and tendons. Additionally, a physical examination by a hip and groin specialist can help identify specific signs and symptoms associated with a sports hernia such as a dilated inguinal ring.

MRI scans can be useful for ruling out other potential causes of groin pain, such as hip labral tears or pelvic bone injuries. However, the subtle nature of sports hernias and the limitations of MRI imaging may result in inconclusive or nonspecific findings. Therefore, ultrasound imaging coupled with a physical examination remains the preferred diagnostic approach for diagnosing sports hernias.

The symptoms of a sports hernia can vary from person to person but commonly include:

1. Groin Pain: Persistent or recurrent pain in the groin area, which will often worsen during physical activity, especially activities that involve twisting, turning, or sudden changes in direction.
2. Pain with Movement: Discomfort or sharp pain with movements such as running, jumping, kicking, or cutting motions.
3. Pain Relief at Rest: Pain may subside or improve with rest, but tends to return during physical activity.
4. Tenderness: Tenderness or sensitivity to touch in the groin area, particularly over the pubic bone and the inguinal ligament.
5. Pain Radiation: Pain may radiate to the lower abdomen, inner thigh, or testicles in some cases.
6. Weakness or Instability: Feeling of weakness or instability in the groin and pelvic region, which may affect balance and coordination during physical activities.