Injuries to the hip from running can be very common. The repetitive stresses placed on your hip joint can cause strains to the tissues around the joint including the capsule or labrum, muscles in the groin, hamstring and lateral hip stabilizers, and bone. Soft tissue injuries usually get better with activity modification, stretching, strengthening and a lot of tender loving care. It is the injuries to the bone that are more difficult to manage.
Stress injuries to bone come in two different types. Stress reactions and stress fractures. When this injury occurs in an athlete, running and impact loading activities must be stopped. This is not what any active person wants to hear! Stress Injury to the bone causes micro failure of its internal framework. Initial injury is a stress reaction where bone swelling occurs and causes pain. As the stress of running continues a microscopic fracture can occur. Usually the fracture is non- displaced, the two pieces remain attached and unmoved. If picked up early the bones will heal without complication. If running continues displacement of the fracture, bones pulling apart, can occur and surgery may be needed.
How do you know that this is happening? Nothing is black and white in medicine. The hip joint is actually located in the groin area. Pain that occurs with impact loading like running gets worse with activity and sometimes will stop an individual from doing their sport. Stress fractures are more prevalent in females than in males. Associated risk factors include significant and rapid weight loss, dietary habits low in protein and essential vitamins, and abnormal hormonal balance like irregular or lack of menstruation.
The moral of the story is to eat well, train smart and if pain occurs listen to your body, stress fractures are an injury to avoid.
Mark Klion MD
