Hip Tendonitis: Pain You Shouldn’t Push Through
Have you noticed a persistent pain in your hip that flares up whenever you’re active? If it’s mild enough, you may be tempted to ignore it. But in reality, any kind of pain is a sign that something’s wrong in your body–and in this case, that persistent pain could be a sign of hip tendonitis.
This common condition, often caused by repetitive movements, overuse, or sudden increases in activity, involves inflammation of the tendons around the hip. Like similar injuries, ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. In fact, it can make things much worse!
Fortunately, the team at Elliott Physical Therapy is here to help you manage hip bursitis and other nagging pain. And remember, the sooner you seek care, the better off you’ll be!
Why Ignoring Hip Tendonitis Can Lead to Long-Term Damage
It’s tempting to think hip pain will resolve on its own, especially if it starts as mild discomfort. However, pushing through the pain can increase inflammation, lead to tendon degeneration, and cause compensatory issues in surrounding muscles and joints that will only worsen the symptoms.
Fortunately, early intervention can prevent these complications, helping you return to your normal activities sooner and with less discomfort. To illustrate what this looks like in real life, let’s explore two patient stories (their names have been changed). One patient pushed through the hip tendonitis pain, while the other didn’t. So, how did their outcomes differ?
Pushing Through Pain and Paying the Price
An avid jogger, Michael first noticed pain on the outside of his hip during long runs. But instead of seeking help, he kept training, believing that “working through it” would make him stronger.
This wasn’t the case. Over the next few months:
- The pain worsened, spreading down Michael’s thigh and making it difficult to walk.
- He began compensating with other muscles, leading to new aches in his lower back.
- Eventually, he had to stop running altogether and struggled with daily tasks like climbing stairs.
By the time Michael finally visited Elliott Physical Therapy, his hip tendonitis had become chronic and required a longer, more complex rehabilitation process.
Seeking Early Care and Finding Relief
Allison’s story is similar to Michael’s, although she’s a hiker, not a runner. She also first noticed her hip pain while out on the trail, but unlike Michael, she recognized her hip pain as more than simple soreness and scheduled an appointment at Elliott Physical Therapy. Here’s what we did during her first visit:
- Performed a comprehensive assessment to identify the specific tendons involved.
- Developed a personalized care plan to address her pain and underlying movement issues.
- Received targeted treatments to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and promote healing.
Within weeks, Allison reported improved mobility and less pain. With continued care, she was able to resume hiking without setbacks.
Why Professional Care for Hip Tendonitis Matters
Proper care for hip tendonitis focuses on restoring healthy movement and preventing future injury. We start by reducing your pain and inflammation, but we also guide you through targeted exercises to improve mobility and function, which will address the underlying cause of your pain. This also helps prevent recurrence of pain.
Don’t Let Hip Pain Control Your Life
If you’ve been experiencing hip pain that isn’t going away, don’t wait for it to get worse. Seeking early care can protect your tendons, facilitate a full recovery, and help you return to the activities you love.
Ready to take the first step? Even a brief consultation can help identify the best next steps for your recovery, so schedule yours at Elliott PT today!