What Causes the Hip Joints to Ache During Hip Fracture?

Aching hip joints are usually the sign of other health issues, including bursitis, sciatica, or hip fracture. While bursitis and sciatica may be resolved by getting plenty of bed rest and taking over-the-counter medication, you might need surgery if you have a hip fracture. Seeking prompt medical attention is necessary to determine the exact cause of the hip joint ache.

Bursitis is caused when bursae fluid-filled sacs that help reduce friction between tissues become inflamed. Trochanteric and Ischia bursae are located around hip joints. If they're inflamed, you may experience aching and dull pain while sleeping, sitting for prolonged periods of time or when walking up hills. The inflammation of bursae is usually caused by soft tissue injury aseptic bursitis or bacterial infection.

Treatment for aseptic bursitis includes cold compresses and anti-inflammatory medications. Septic bursitis requires antibiotic medications. Septic bursitis is not common in hip joints, however.
Elderly people and those diagnosed with osteoporosis are at risk of fracturing a hip. A fractured hip can cause severe pain and may require extensive physical therapy or surgery depending on the location of the fracture. X-ray images are the only way to determine if the hip is fractured. Hip dislocation can occur after a severe injury or accident. The pain you feel after dislocating the hip is due to the thighbone separating from the hip socket.

Pain can be felt in hip joints, legs, and the sciatic nerve, located along the back of the legs. Pain is more severe while walking. Medication and physical therapy is usually needed after the thighbone is returned to the hip socket. Repetitive motion can cause tendonitis, or aching and tenderness in joints. While tendonitis in hip joints is not as common as in other joints, such as elbow or knee joints, performing repetitive work, related movements or sports postures for prolonged periods of time may cause tendonitis in hip joints. Changes in how you perform work-related tasks and other movements throughout the day are recommended to prevent further injury.

Sciatica is pain that occurs in the legs and is usually the outcome of trauma to the sciatic nerve. Pelvic injury, slipped disc and degenerative disc disease are common causes. Sciatica can cause aching in hip joints and increasing pain throughout legs and feet. Depending on the cause of sciatica, treatment options include cold compresses, medication and physical therapy.