I have arthritis …..or do I?

I have arthritis …..or do I?

Most people with pain on the outside of their hip think they have arthritis. Although this is sometimes the case, there are a number of other potential causes, many of which are curable without surgery or prolonged interference with your daily life.

Where else could the pain be coming from?
1. Lower back issues can cause pain on the outside of your hip. This could be a nerve entrapment or disc bulge, but it could also be referred pain from the small joints in your back called facet joints.
2. Another potential source of the pain is the joint between the sacrum and the pelvis. This is called the sacroiliac joint. This joint can suffer in inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. It can also be involved in osteoarthritis and it can suffer with instability. Although it will often present with back pain, most people find it difficult to pinpoint the source.
3. The tendons of the buttock muscles are a very common cause of lateral hip pain. They can develop wear and tear from overload. Most commonly, this is a result of weakness in the muscles. Many people are told that the pain is due to bursitis. It is our belief that bursitis is a secondary issue that occurs as a result of tendon dysfunction.
So, the good news is that you may not need a hip replacement for your hip pain.
The bad news is that it can be difficult to sort out the exact underlying cause of your problem.