Are hip injuries common in Australia?
Yes! hip injuries and leg injuries were the primary reason for 20% of hospitalizations from 2020-2021 according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s web report on Injury in Australia. This mean 114,000 Australian hip/leg injuries required a stay in hospital.
What are the causes of hip injury?
Hip injuries in Australia are common and have many causes including falls and overexertion. A hip injury can occur because of the muscles in the hip, arthritis, or a bone fracture. Pain in the hip can affect you when you are doing any type of physical activity.
What are the symptoms associated with hip pain?
According to Health Direct, the symptoms related to hip injuries depend on the causes:
If you have problems with your muscles, ligaments, or tendons around the hip joint, you may feel pain:
- Outside your hip
- On your upper thigh
- On your outer buttock
If your pain is caused by osteoarthritis, your symptoms may include:
- Stiffness
- Tenderness if you push on the joint
- A grating sensation in your joints
- Muscle weakness
A bone fracture may cause:
- Swelling
- Deformity
- Bruising
- Loss of function
These symptoms do not describe every hip injury. Hip pain is also commonly associated with knee and lower back pain.
These symptoms can impair an individual’s ability to work.
What help is available for Australians with hip injuries?
There are many treatment types that a doctor will prescribe when treating your hip injury but you can do these common treatments at home yourself:
- Rest
- Heat or ice
- Massage
- Gentle exercises
