Torn cartilage in hip

Introduction to torn cartilage in hipWhen a person tears the cartilage in their hip, it is needless to say that this is a very uncomfortable and painful problem.

Cartilage is a band that is made up of connective tissue that is located in between two bones at the major joints of the body, including the hip, knee, ankle, shoulder or elbow.

The cartilage becomes a sort of cushion that gives the joint support and keeps the joint structure together.

Torn cartilage often occurs to people who play very physical sports such as hockey, football or even strenuous dancing such as ballet.

There could be no symptoms if it is only a minor tear; however, when the tear is more severe, the person will notice pain and swelling in the area of the hip and groin.

It could also be difficult for the person to move.

Causes

Usually, the cause of this kind of condition is some kind of traumatic injury, usually through sporting events or perhaps a serious accident, like a car crash.

In, sports the many repetitive bodily activities that are involved in running and jumping can cause wear and tear of the hip joint, which will eventually lead to torn cartilage.

It should also be noted that elderly people are also prone to hip injuries because their joints degenerate with age.

Also, people who were born with various structural abnormalities in the bones and joints could also develop such problems, especially since their joints will be more prone to wear and tear through activities that are not even considered to be strenuous, because of these abnormalities. Treatment

First and foremost, it is important to visit the doctor if you are experiencing any pain or swelling in the hip area. This is important because a proper diagnosis is needed in order to treat the condition properly.

It will be important to give the doctor your full medical history as well.

The torn cartilage diagnosis will probably be confirmed with the use of various diagnostic tests such as a CT scan.

The treatment will, of course, depend on how serious the injury is.

The patient should be resting in the first few weeks so that they do not aggravate the injury and further. It is good to put some cold compresses on the area in order to decrease the swelling, and they can be accompanied by painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to help with the discomfort as well.

Once the pain dies down, most doctors will recommend that the patient visit a physical therapist who will be able to show them simple exercises they can do at home to regain strength in the hip and improve movement generally.

In the worst-case scenario, surgery will be needed to repair the hip. This type of surgery is called arthroscopic surgery, and it involves using a small camera and instruments that are inserted in the hip through a small incision in order to make the needed repairs to the joint.