Hip Stress Fracture
Stress fractures are very fine cracks that come out in the bone. These are overuse injuries after being involved in repeated strenuous acts. These often occur in athletes as they overuse their bones and muscles when playing and practicing in their respective sports. Hip stress fracture, of course, happens on the hip but the thigh bone can also be affected.
Some contributory factors to hip stress fractures are
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Long-term or certain medications, especially steroids
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Smoking
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Intensive training and workout
Hip Stress Fracture Symptoms
Hip stress fracture sufferers would experience certain symptoms, including
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Pain in the hip or groin. The pain can be worsened by standing, moving, or getting involved in strenuous physical activities and sports such as climbing or running.
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Lack of balance. Inability to support weight on the involving hip can be an indication of the condition. A person manifests walking difficulty accompanied by pain. When the crack becomes severe, the affected bone would be displaced making a huge difference in the measurement of the involving leg and the unaffected one.
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Inflammation and swelling. When the body is injured, it releases histamines. These substances would make the walls of the blood vessels to be more penetrable. As a result, more fluids carrying white blood cells come out of the vessel and flood the site of injury. Thus, swelling and inflammation occurs.
Hip Stress Fracture Recovery and Healing Time
The healing period for hip stress fracture depends on the extent of the injury. More often than not, it takes six weeks or more for the bone to recover. And during this period, individual concerned should not engage in any strenuous activities nor over use the legs and hips.
To help the hip bone achieve its former strength, one must wait for at least a month and a half before getting involved in any extreme activity.
Hip Stress Fracture Treatment
To cure and prevent the exacerbation of hip stress fracture, one must know the following measures:
To reduce pain and discomfort, an affected individual must reduce his activity levels.
Before taking any medications for pain and inflammation, ask a physician first. Since taking these would hide the symptoms, it would be difficult to diagnose the real condition and find an appropriate treatment.
Crutches can be used when pain is felt when walking.
Surgery can be indicated when bone has been displaced by the fracture and if severe complications arise.