Hip Pain

When I was a baby I had hip dysplasia in my left hip, which was treated for 4 months in a harness. I have had no hip problems since.

About a year ago I started training for the London Marathon and noticed my left hip hurt when I ran (and after). I went to see my GP who said it was fine, but to try some physio if the pain continued.

I continued training and ignored the pain. About a month before the marathon my right hip started to hurt as well as my left. So I went to the physio and she suggested an x-ray to rule out a stress fracture but it came back normal.

The pain is the centre of my hip when running & after running (for about 3-4+ days {recovery time seems to be getting longer}) when I move my hip joint it hurts e.g. crossing legs, getting into the car, getting in the shower, putting on shoes etc.

Have continued to have physio on a weekly basis for about 2months & neither myself or the physio has seen any improvements. I am now being referred to an orthopaedist at my local hospital but have to wait 5weeks for the appointment agghhh!

I was wondering if my dysplasia as a baby could be the cause of my hip pain or is this unlikely, due to the normal x-ray & no hip problems since birth????

[Michael L Gross, MD]

Hip pain covers a broad spectrum of pathology.  Your problem could be outside the joint itself, such as with ITB syndrome, trochanteric bursitis, or pyriformis syndrome.  Intraarticular problems include damage to the cartilage, the labrum or early arthritic changes.
Although negative xrays are important, they do not necessarily rule out anything, including a stress fracture.  I would suggest an evaluation by an orthopedist, hopefully a sports medicine or hip specialist, and an MRI arthrogram if needed.