Most people who experience pain or discomfort in their back, knee, thigh or groin may not realize the real culprit could be their hip, results of a recent survey reveal.
Researchers at Ohio State University surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. adults and found that 72% aren’t aware that knee pain could be a symptom of a hip problem. Similarly, 69% and 66% don’t know that groin pain and thigh pain, respectively, could stem from issues in the hip.
A smaller group, though still a majority (59%), recognized difficulty bending or tying shoes as a sign, as well as lower back pain (53%).
“Patients will be referred to me for knee pain,” said Matthew Beal, an orthopedic surgeon at OSU’s Wexner Medical Center. “When I examine the patient, I will rotate their hip and the patient will feel pain. We’ll also do X-rays to determine arthritis in the hip and if a replacement would be beneficial.”
Additionally, 2 out of 5 of the respondents said they respond to unexplained pain by “pushing through it,” and more than half take over-the-counter medications to manage pain. Fewer than half knew that night pain or difficulty sleeping can also be a sign of a hip issue.
The researchers recommend consulting with a health care professional about any unexplained pain “so that a correct diagnosis is made and patients can lead fuller lives.”
