If you develop sudden and severe hip pain, it could be due to osteoporosis — a disease that causes your bones to become porous, weak, and fragile. Approximately 10 million Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis. While the disease is more common in women, people of any gender can develop osteoporosis.
Here at Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, our orthopedics team provides thorough exams to identify the cause of hip pain, which can include osteoporosis.
The insides of your bones look like a dense honeycomb. This structure is very stable, spreading force through your bone to reduce stress and damage. Osteoporosis causes this honeycomb structure to open up and become porous. As a result, your bones become weak and brittle, which can lead to injury and pain.
Many factors contribute to osteoporosis, including your hormone levels, thyroid disease, and dietary deficiencies. You can develop osteoporosis anywhere in your body, but the condition is most likely to affect your hips, spine, and wrists.
When you develop osteoporosis in your hips, it can affect your pelvis or your femur. Sudden and severe hip pain is a common warning sign of this disease. You might also have symptoms such as:
As your bones become weak, they become vulnerable to fractures. You can also develop muscle spasms around the fragile bones.
If you have persistent hip pain, you should make an appointment with our team here at Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. While osteoporosis is a cause of hip pain, our doctors provide thorough exams and comprehensive testing to diagnose the disease's actual root cause.
After talking to you about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle, we complete a physical exam. Then, we use X-rays, bone density scans, and MRIs to examine your hips and look for signs of a disease that could be causing your pain. Once we confirm your diagnosis, we create a customized treatment plan to relieve your pain.
Depending on your needs, your treatment program could include:
Our goal is to relieve your pain and help you get back to your regular activities. If you live with hip pain or other signs of osteoporosis, call our office or make an appointment online today.
